Army launches coup in Guinea-Bissau

THE army launched a coup in the West Africa country of Guinea-Bissau yesterday, arresting the president and ordering government ministers detained, according to reports.

An army spokesman announced the takeover on a radio station, the Portuguese news agency, Lusa, reported from Bissau, the capital.

No shooting or injuries were reported and a 7am to 7pm curfew was imposed throughout the former Portuguese colony. Portugal issued a statement urging the military to back down. “The Portuguese government regrets the military coup today in Guinea-Bissau and appeals to those behind it to return constitutional legality to the country immediately.”