Guinea-Bissau president shot dead

Bissau, 02 March-(ANA)-Renegade soldiers have shot dead the president of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira, reports say.

Officials and residents gave news of the death just hours after that of the army chief of staff, Mr Vieira's rival.

Gunfire is said to be resounding around the capital, Bissau, and it is unclear who is in control of the West African nation.

Bissau is one of the world's poorest states. It has a history of coups and is a drug trafficking centre. (ANA)

FA/ANA/02 March 2009---