G-Bissau president detained by gunmen - journalist

A local journalist has told the BBC that mutinous soldiers have detained the president of Guinea-Bissau and his ministers.

It has not been possibly to independently verify this allegation, and no official word has been given yet of the whereabouts of Guinea-Bissau's president and prime minister.

But reporter Alberto Dabo told BBC Focus on Africa radio that "reliable sources are saying that President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and members of the government are still at the [government] palace and in the hands of the assailants".

The UN and regional leaders have condemned deadly clashes in the capital and demanded democratic institutions be respected. One policeman has been killed.

There have been a number of coups in West Africa in the last 18 months, with the military seizing power in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Diplomatie