BBC News Online: World: Africa

Security moves in Ivory Coast

Security forces in Ivory Coast have searched the home in Abidjan of the number two in the military junta, General Lanssana Palenfo.

The search followed a shoot-out in the city over the weekend -- which the military leader, General Robert Guei, said was an attempt on his life.

General Palenfo was not in his house when it was surrounded by armed police -- he's at the Olympic Games in Sydney in his capacity of chairman of the African Judo Association.

General Palenfo is an ethnic northerner from the same area as the main civilian opposition leader, Alassane Ouattara.

The BBC West Africa correspondent says tension has been high between General Guei -- who intends to stand in presidential elections next month -- and Mr Ouattara, a strong opponent of military rule.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service