The Foreign Office has warned Britons not to travel to Ivory Coast after its government was toppled in a military coup.

The west African state is now controlled by rebel soldiers under the country's new self-declared ruler General Robert Guei.

UK Foreign Office Minister Peter Hain said he "strongly condemned" the removal of President Henri Konan Bedie.

"I call on all parties to work for a peaceful and rapid restoration of democratic constitutional rule," he said.

"Until recently, Ivory Coast has had an encouraging record of progress towards democracy. It is vital that this is put back on track as soon as possible.

"We have taken the lead in condemning all military coups and fully support the Organisation of African Unity summit decision last July declaring such activity totally unacceptable."

The overthrow is the first time the state has suffered a military takeover since being granted independence from France in 1960.

On Friday, President Bedie called in vain on the population to resist the coup, which began as an army mutiny over pay and conditions.

General Guei has said opposition leaders Laurent Gbagbo of the Popular Front and Alassane Outtara of the Rally of Republicans would be invited to join consultations on a "wide consensus" government.

Scattered gunfire has been reported around the commercial capital, Abidjan. Looting in several districts of the city continued on Saturday.

Mobs of youths are reported to have taken advantage of the vacuum in law and order to hijack cars and mug people trying to get home before an overnight curfew.