Abidjan - An attempted coup d'etat was underway last night in Abidjan, Interior Minister Mr Emile Boga Doudou said by telephone last night, amid heavy fighting in Ivory Coast's economic capital.
The assailants were concentrating their attacks on three points - the official residence of President Laurent Gbagbo, the downtown radio building and the television centre in the Cocody residential neighbourhood.
"As I speak to you, the situation is under control," the minister declared.
He refused to estimate how many attackers there were, saying he had not had a chance to review the situation with Defence Minister Mr Moise Lida Kouassi.
Mr Boga Doudou said he had been forewarned earlier yesterday a coup was being hatched, but refused to speculate who might be behind it.