President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has said that many members of the security forces have been killed in a failed attack against democracy. 

In a video message posted on the Presidency's Facebook page, hours after gunfire was heard near a compound where he was chairing a Cabinet meeting, Embalo said some of the people involved have also been arrested.

He said the failed coup was linked to decisions he had taken notably to fight drug trafficking and corruption.

The President of Guinea-Bissau, shortly before the video appearance, told a foreign news agency that all is well and the situation is under control.