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G-Bissau army 'not seeking power' G-Bissau army 'not seeking power'
(about 10 hours later)
Guinea-Bissau's army has said it will respect the country's democratic systems following the assassination of President Joao Bernardo Vieira.Guinea-Bissau's army has said it will respect the country's democratic systems following the assassination of President Joao Bernardo Vieira.
Under the constitution, the speaker of parliament has now taken office, and must arrange elections within 60 days.Under the constitution, the speaker of parliament has now taken office, and must arrange elections within 60 days.
Mr Vieira, 69, is thought to have been killed by rebel soldiers in revenge for the death of the army chief of staff.Mr Vieira, 69, is thought to have been killed by rebel soldiers in revenge for the death of the army chief of staff.
However, the army has denied there has been a coup and the capital Bissau is said to be quiet.However, the army has denied there has been a coup and the capital Bissau is said to be quiet.
The African Union, the European Union and former colonial ruler Portugal have condemned the killings and called for a respect for the rule of law.The African Union, the European Union and former colonial ruler Portugal have condemned the killings and called for a respect for the rule of law.
West African regional group Ecowas is due to hold an emergency summit about the crisis in Bissau on Tuesday.West African regional group Ecowas is due to hold an emergency summit about the crisis in Bissau on Tuesday.
Chairman Mohamed Ibn Chambas told the AFP new agency: "It's not only the assassination of a president or a chief of staff, it's the assassination of democracy."Chairman Mohamed Ibn Chambas told the AFP new agency: "It's not only the assassination of a president or a chief of staff, it's the assassination of democracy."
Mr Chambas told the BBC that he would try to ensure that the constitution was respected.Mr Chambas told the BBC that he would try to ensure that the constitution was respected.
The AU called the killings "cowardly and heinous attacks" and is reportedly arranging its own meeting over the situation, while Portugal has offered to assist in preserving order if needed.The AU called the killings "cowardly and heinous attacks" and is reportedly arranging its own meeting over the situation, while Portugal has offered to assist in preserving order if needed.
'Vengeance''Vengeance'
Mr Vieira, nicknamed "Nino", was killed at his private house close to the presidential palace in Bissau.Mr Vieira, nicknamed "Nino", was killed at his private house close to the presidential palace in Bissau.
His death came hours after chief of staff, Gen Tagme Na Waie, died in a blast that destroyed part of the military headquarters. His death came hours after chief of staff, Gen Tagme Na Waie, died in a blast that destroyed part of the military headquarters. JOAO BERNARDO VIEIRA 1939: BornElectrician by tradeKey figure in struggle against Portuguese colonial rule1980: Came to power in coup, as head of armed forces1994: Won country's first multi-party elections1999: Overthrown after sacking army chief2005: Returned from exile to win presidential election class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7918462.stm">Obituary: President Vieira class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7920033.stm">Haunted by history of crisis
After Gen Tagme's death, the army had ordered two private radio stations in the city to cease broadcasting.After Gen Tagme's death, the army had ordered two private radio stations in the city to cease broadcasting.
Armed forces spokesman Samuel Fernandes told reporters at one station: "We are going to pursue the attackers and avenge ourselves."Armed forces spokesman Samuel Fernandes told reporters at one station: "We are going to pursue the attackers and avenge ourselves."
Braima Camara, a reporter from privately-owned Radio Pindiquiti in Bissau, told the BBC the president had been shot and stabbed in retaliation after he admitted giving the orders for Gen Tagme to be killed.Braima Camara, a reporter from privately-owned Radio Pindiquiti in Bissau, told the BBC the president had been shot and stabbed in retaliation after he admitted giving the orders for Gen Tagme to be killed.
The president's house was largely destroyed in the assault and later looted by soldiers, he said.The president's house was largely destroyed in the assault and later looted by soldiers, he said.
The cabinet has announced seven days of national mourning for both leaders and launched a judicial inquiry into the deaths.The cabinet has announced seven days of national mourning for both leaders and launched a judicial inquiry into the deaths.
Turbulent historyTurbulent history
In a statement on state radio following Mr Vieira's death, the military insisted no coup was in progress in Guinea-Bissau, one of the world's poorest states.In a statement on state radio following Mr Vieira's death, the military insisted no coup was in progress in Guinea-Bissau, one of the world's poorest states.
JOAO BERNARDO VIEIRA 1939: BornElectrician by tradeKey figure in struggle against Portuguese colonial rule1980: Came to power in coup, as head of armed forces1994: Won country's first multi-party elections1999: Overthrown after sacking army chief2005: Returned from asylum to win presidential election class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7918462.stm">Obituary: President Vieira Naval Commander Jose Zamora Induta said the military "gave guarantees to the prime minister that it will remain faithful to democratic principles and respect for the constitution". Naval Commander Jose Zamora Induta said the military "gave guarantees to the prime minister that it will remain faithful to democratic principles and respect for the constitution".
The national assembly speaker - Raimundo Pereira - has now taken over at the helm of a transitional government and must organise presidential elections within 60 days.The national assembly speaker - Raimundo Pereira - has now taken over at the helm of a transitional government and must organise presidential elections within 60 days.
The president and army chief are said to have been at odds for months.The president and army chief are said to have been at odds for months.
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, relied on the army to stay in power, and personal rifts made it a rocky relationship, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says.President Vieira, just like the country's previous leaders, relied on the army to stay in power, and personal rifts made it a rocky relationship, the BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says.
Guinea-Bissau is a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe and some army officials are known to have become involved in the trade, our correspondent says.Guinea-Bissau is a major transit point for Latin American cocaine headed for Europe and some army officials are known to have become involved in the trade, our correspondent says.
Are you in Guinea-Bissau? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you in Guinea-Bissau? Send us your comments using the form below:
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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