Guinea-Bissau's PM released from house arrest

[April 20, 2010]  BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) -- A government spokesman says Guinea-Bissau's prime minister has been released from house arrest after an apparent coup attempt.

Renegade soldiers threatened to kill the leader Thursday and detained the head of the armed forces.

Mamudu Djau says that soldiers have left Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Jr.'s home, but police remain there to maintain order. He says that the prime minister will meet with the president Friday to discuss the coup attempt.

This tiny West African nation has been wracked by coups, countercoups and a civil war in its 35 years of independence from Portugal.

Guinea-Bissau's current president won an election last year to succeed the former leader, who was assassinated a little over a year ago.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.