Gunfire at Ivory Coast military ruler's home

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (Reuters) -- Unidentified attackers fired shots at the residence of Ivory Coast's military ruler, General Robert Guei, in the early hours of Monday, the head of the country's armed forces said.

Witnesses reported firing from the vicinity of Guei's house, just outside the central Plateau business and administrative area of Abidjan, from shortly after 3 a.m. (0300 GMT).

Asked if Guei's residence was under attack, Chief of Defence Staff Diabakate Soumahila, told Reuters by phone: "Yes, and we are in the process of counter-attacking."

He was unable to say who had launched the attack.

Continuous firing was heard for around 45 minutes and short bursts could still be heard more than an hour after the shooting started.

"There were a couple of big bangs, mortars or grenades or something like that," said one man who lives nearby. "The firing was quite concentrated."

There were no reports of any sustained shooting elsewhere in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Ivory Coast. All ministries and embassies are also located there.

Guei took power in a military coup in December 1999. There have been bouts of military unrest in the West African country since then, often over pay, although Guei has also suggested political motives.

Some members of the military are known to be unhappy with Guei's decision to stand as a candidate in a presidential election due on October 22.

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