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Guinea-Bissau leader 'attacked' Guinea-Bissau president attacked
(10 minutes later)
Gunfire has erupted around the presidential palace in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau, after the army chief of staff died in a bomb attack.Gunfire has erupted around the presidential palace in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau, after the army chief of staff died in a bomb attack.
General Batista Tagme Na Wai reportedly died after a blast late on Sunday that destroyed part of the building. It is not clear if a coup attempt is under way, amid reports that President Joao Bernardo Vieira has been killed.
It is not clear if a coup is under way, and the whereabouts of President Joao Bernardo Vieira are unknown. The AFP news agency quotes an army spokesman saying the president had been killed by soldiers as he tried to flee.
Guinea-Bissau is one of the world's poorest states. It has a history of coups and is a drug trafficking centre.Guinea-Bissau is one of the world's poorest states. It has a history of coups and is a drug trafficking centre.
An army spokesman told the AFP news agency that the president had been killed. "President Vieira was killed by the army as he tried to flee his house which was being attacked by a group of soldiers close to the head of the chief of staff Tagme Na Waie, early this morning," Zamora Induta told AFP.
"President Vieira was killed by the army as he tried to flee his house which was being attacked by a group of soldiers close to the head of the chief of staff Tagme Na Waie, early this morning," said Zamora Induta. He accused Mr Vieira of being responsible for the death of army chief of staff General Batista Tagme Na Wai.
He accused Mr Vieira of being responsible for the death of the army chief of staff. The general died after a blast late on Sunday that destroyed part of the military headquarters.
Renegade soldiers last November attacked the presidential palace with automatic weapons in a failed coup attempt.Renegade soldiers last November attacked the presidential palace with automatic weapons in a failed coup attempt.
RevengeRevenge
An aide to General Tagme, Lt Col Bwam Nhamtchio, told AFP the chief of staff was in his office when Sunday's blast went off.An aide to General Tagme, Lt Col Bwam Nhamtchio, told AFP the chief of staff was in his office when Sunday's blast went off.
"He was gravely wounded and did not survive his injuries. This is a loss for all of us," Lt Col Nhamtchio said.President Vieira has ruled intermittently since 1980 "He was gravely wounded and did not survive his injuries. This is a loss for all of us," Lt Col Nhamtchio said.
State radio has confirmed that General Tagme's death. State radio has confirmed General Tagme's death.
At least five people were reportedly killed in the explosion.At least five people were reportedly killed in the explosion.
Following the attack on the military HQ, officers ordered two private radio stations in the city to cease broadcasting.Following the attack on the military HQ, officers ordered two private radio stations in the city to cease broadcasting.
"For the security of the journalists, you must close the radio station and stop broadcasting. It's for your own safety," armed forces spokesman Samuel Fernandes told reporters at one station."For the security of the journalists, you must close the radio station and stop broadcasting. It's for your own safety," armed forces spokesman Samuel Fernandes told reporters at one station.
"We are going to pursue the attackers and avenge ourselves," he added."We are going to pursue the attackers and avenge ourselves," he added.
Plagued by coupsPlagued by coups
It is not yet clear who was behind the attack but it once again highlights the country's fragility, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says.It is not yet clear who was behind the attack but it once again highlights the country's fragility, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says.
After last November's attack, the president was subsequently given his own militia for protection.After last November's attack, the president was subsequently given his own militia for protection.
In January, that militia was accused of trying to kill the head of the army and was then disbanded.In January, that militia was accused of trying to kill the head of the army and was then disbanded.
Guinea-Bissau has been plagued by coups and political unrest since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.Guinea-Bissau has been plagued by coups and political unrest since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
President Vieira, just like the country's previous leaders, has relied on the army to stay in power, and personal rifts have made it a rocky relationship, our correspondent says.President Vieira, just like the country's previous leaders, has relied on the army to stay in power, and personal rifts have made it a rocky relationship, our correspondent says.
Guinea-Bissau - a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe - has also been destabilised by the effects of drug trafficking.Guinea-Bissau - a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe - has also been destabilised by the effects of drug trafficking.
Some officials in the army are known to have become involved in the trade, our correspondent adds.Some officials in the army are known to have become involved in the trade, our correspondent adds.