Lisbon- Guinea Bissau security forces have detained five soldiers suspected of attacking the residence of President Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira, including their leader, Portuguese media quoted a police spokesman as saying Monday.

The government earlier described the attack as a coup attempt which was defeated by the army.

The detainees included the suspected coup leader, who was named as navy sergeant N'Tacha Iala, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa. Four other suspects were still at large.

Vieira said the situation was under control and urged citizens to stay calm.

The attackers opened fire on Vieira's residence on Sunday, less than two days after the results of a recent parliamentary election were announced.

One soldier was reported to have died and three to have been injured while repelling the attack. The reasons of the alleged coup attempt were not clear.

The government called a cabinet meeting to analyze the situation.

The electoral commission on Friday said that the traditionally dominant PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) had won the elections.

The tiny West African nation has struggled with coups and uprisings since its independence from Portugal in 1974, and is still recovering from the 1998-99 civil war that took out much of its infrastructure. (dpa)