Gunfire erupts near Guinea’s presidential palace and the military locks down the area

Associated Press

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Shots have been fired near the presidential palace in Guinea’s capital Conakry, and the army briefly locked down the city center and evacuated it. Local journalist Fode Toure, who was a few hundred meters from the presidential palace, said he heard gunshots and saw people running away in panic. An AP reporter near the palace saw heavily armed soldiers patrolling the streets. A diplomatic official close to Guinea’s leader said that 11 dissident soldiers opened fire on the special forces around the presidential palace, but they were overpowered. Three of the assailants were killed and eight others were arrested, he said, adding that the situation is under control.