Clampdown after Ivorian coup attempt

Abidjan has seen months of violence

The Ivory Coast Government is tightening security in the commercial capital, Abidjan, following a coup attempt in which rebels held the national radio and television stations for several hours.

There was heavy fighting overnight before forces loyal to the newly-elected President, Laurent Gbagbo, regained control.

Dear countrymen, dear Ivorians, the country has just undergone another change - radio and the TV are in the hands of the military

Rebel broadcast

Troops and paramilitary police have taken up strategic positions and the city's airport has been closed.

National television has shown pictures of some of the bodies of people killed in the night's fighting. A group of men, stripped naked, were seen being taken away from the central business district.

Casualties

Ivorian Defence Minister Moise Lida Kouassi said two policemen and "a few" of the rebels were killed.

He said about 15 people were arrested in connection with the coup attempt. But the government has not yet revealed their identity.

President Gbagbo: Reported to be safe

In broadcasts on state radio the authorities reassured the population that the attempt had failed.

Earlier, eyewitnesses reported that loyal troops had regained control of the radio station in the centre of Abidjan.

The West African country has been plagued by instability since a coup in December 1999.

Television went off the air but rebel broadcasts continued from the radio station throughout the night.

Confusion

In their radio broadcast the rebels said: "The country has undergone another change."

General Guei: Ousted after trying to rig October elections

Prime Minister Affi N'Guessan confirmed that a small group of mutinous soldiers had attacked the offices of state radio and television, in what he called an attempted coup.

But Defence Minister Moise Lida Kouassi refused to confirm if intensive firing of automatic weapons, machine guns and artillery, heard around the television building, was an attempt by loyalist forces to recover control.

Explosions and heavy gunfire were reported in different parts of the city, including the district where President Gbagbo lives.

Sources in Abidjan said the president had been at his home village of Mama over the weekend and had not been due to return until Monday.

Rebel mystery?

The identity and strength of those involved in the coup attempt is a mystery - their radio announcement gave no clues - but Ivory Coast has been in political chaos since the coup by former military leader, General Robert Guei.

Troubled times

Dec 1999 - Coup by General Guei

Mar, July 2000 - Failed mutinies

Sep 2000 - Attack on Guei's home

Oct 2000 - Elections, Guei ousted after uprising

Dec 2000 - Unrest, boycott of polls

General Guei was ousted after elections in October, but there has been repeated speculation that he is trying to stage a comeback.

The army is divided and there are rumours that some soldiers remain loyal to General Guei.

There is also dissatisfaction amongst soldiers who come from the north of the country.

One of the north's main political leaders, Alassane Ouattara, has been repeatedly prevented from contesting elections and there has been a dangerous increase in tensions between Northerners and other Ivorians.

At least 200 people have been killed since President Gbagbo took office in October.

Last month, more than 20 died in outbursts of street violence after Mr Ouattara was barred from running for parliament.