Guinea-Bissau under control, president says, after feared coup attempt

Heavily armed men and gunfire reported near government offices but statement says attack against democracy failed

Guinea-Bissau's president, Umaro Cissoco Embalo, has said the situation in the country is under control" following fears of an attempted coup and heavy gunfire in the capital.

Gunshots erupted near the government palace in Guinea-Bissau's capital on Tuesday afternoon, sparking fears of a coup attempt in the west African country, which has suffered repeated military takeovers.