....on coup alert

The embassies of Ghana, Gabon, and Nigeria in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, were surrounded, at the weekend, after President Nguema was "tipped off" about a coup attempt.

The aim was to prevent anyone seeking refuge in them. A number of foreigners staying at hotels were also reportedly arrested.

Troops were reportedly on the streets of Equatorial Guinea

Spain's La Razon newspaper reported that President Teodoro Obiang Nguema had been tipped off that there was a plan to depose him.

According to the paper, the government believed mercenaries had arrived in the country to support the coup attempt.

It reported an increased military presence in Malabo with fewer people on the streets.

The country's Information Minister Augustin Nze Nfumu told the BBC that there had been a police operation against foreigners.

But he denied that African embassies had been surrounded.

Equatorial Guinea is one of the most secretive and repressive states in Africa and reliable information often emerges very slowly from the country.