Ivory Coast coup attempt ends in failure

Ivory Coast forces have quelled a concerted coup attempt launched as the West African nation's president travelled abroad.

Troops loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo repelled insurgents after hours of heavy gunfire and explosions that left the country's interior minister dead.

Also killed were General Robert Guei, the former junta chief accused of a role in the uprising, and at least 10 rebels and seven paramilitary police. Authorities said loyalist police had shot the ex-military leader.

"I can assure you that since 6 o'clock this morning the army has brought everything under control," defence minister Lida Moise Kouassi declared on state television at mid-afternoon.

It was the first broadcast after a day of fighting that scattered bodies in the streets of the commercial capital, Abidjan.

"Loyalist forces have come out on top," President Gbagbo said in a statement from Rome, where he had been on a state visit. Mr Gbagbo said he would cut short his trip to return home.

Mr Kouassi said Ivory Coast's armed forces had mobilised nationwide to put down the insurrection. He called it over "except for pockets of resistance" in the cities of Bouake and Korhogo.

Mr Gbagbo's government has been struggling to calm lingering ethnic and political tension and a restive military since the once-tranquil country's first-ever coup, in 1999.

Guei, a former army chief, took power amid the 1999 uprising. He was forced out during elections the next year amid allegations that he was trying to steal the vote.

Members of the military were believed to be involved in yesterday's uprising. Diplomats said that 700-800 soldiers had revolted.