Zambia's capital Lusaka was calm Thursday morning following two days of protests and looting that targeted mostly foreign-owned shops in the slums.

Several local radio stations and newspapers reported that the calm had prevailed from Wednesday evening.

The xenophobic attacks were caused by ritual killings that have hit the capital in the past few weeks.

President Edgar Lungu ordered a special unit of the Zambia Army to step in and quell the protests, which were seemingly escalating, resulting in two deaths.

"I gave a direction last night (Tuesday) and the situation has been contained. We will continue monitoring the operations closely and on a daily basis and we will revisit the order," he was quoted as saying by the state-owned Zambia Daily Mail.

The riots and looting erupted on Monday following allegations that foreigners were behind the ritual killings.

Police arrested more than 200 people in the process and 11 others to help with investigations.

READ: 200 seized as mayhem continues in Lusaka

Over 200 affected Rwanda and Burundian nationals have sought refugee at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Lusaka where well-wishers were caring for them, local reports said.

A Catholic priest, Fr Charles Chilinda, said criminal elements were sparking fires to destabilise the Rwandan community in the country.

The Zambia Daily Mail quoted a Rwandan national, Mr Frodoual Ntezimana, in charge of his compatriots in Zambia, saying it was difficult to ascertain the value of lost property.

He, however, praised Zambia Police for quick action.

By Thursday morning, the corner shops owned by foreign nationals on Lusaka's Kaunda Square area, although not affected by the riots, remained closed.