Lisbon - The capital of Guinea-Bissau was gradually returning to normal Tuesday after President Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira and army chief Tagme Na Wai were killed, Portuguese media reported.

People were back on the streets, and public transport was functioning again, though schools remained closed in Bissau.

The army said Monday it would talk to the government, and denied that it had staged a coup after Vieira was shot dead in his home.

The soldiers who killed him were believed to hold him responsible for an explosion that killed General Tagme Na Wai a few hours earlier.

Power was now constitutionally held by parliament president Raimundo Pereira.

The parliament was due to meet Tuesday after the government declared seven days of mourning for Vieira.

The government announced the establishment of a commission to investigate the deaths of the two political rivals, for whom state funerals were planned.

Portugal and Senegal expressed willingness to host Vieira's widow. The Portuguese Foreign Ministry said it was unable to confirm reports that Mrs Vieira had taken refuge at the Angolan embassy.

Army chiefs of member countries of the West African economic union CEDEAO were due to discuss the situation in Guinea-Bissau at their meeting in Cape Verde on Wednesday.

Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony with 1.5 million residents, ranks as one of the world's poorest countries. (dpa)