Nairobi/Conakry- Guinea's military junta has arrested three former ministers, including a former prime minister, reports said Tuesday.

Ahmed Tidiane Souare, who was prime minister when the military took over in December, and two former mine ministers have been detained, unnamed sources told the BBC.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara seized power at the end of December following the death of strongman president Lansana Conte, who had been in power since 1984.

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.

Lisbon - The army of Guinea-Bissau staged a coup and shot dead President "Nino" Vieira on Monday, Portuguese media reported.

Conakry, Guinea  - The African Union Monday suspended Guinea on Monday for its military coup but held off on instituting sanctions.

Following a meeting of its Peace and Security Council, the continent-wide body said that Guinea would remain suspended until it restored constitutional rule and could face sanctions if the coup leaders hold onto power.

Junior military officer Captain Moussa Dadi Camara seized power on Tuesday hours after the death of President Lansana Conte.

Conakry, Guinea - Guinea's new military junta has fired 22 senior military officials as it moves to strengthen its position, reports said Monday.

The BBC reported that the coup leaders on Sunday issued a statement saying the generals had reached retirement age.

The statement added that the generals would be appointed to senior positions at a later date.

Junior military officer Captain Moussa Dadi Camara seized power on Tuesday hours after the death of President Lansana Conte.

The coup has been widely condemned internationally, although Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade on Friday urged foreign governments to back the new leaders.

Conakry, Guinea  - The leader of a military coup in Guinea said Saturday that the new regime would renegotiate all mining contracts in the West African nation.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power on Tuesday hours after the death of President Lansana Conte, told a meeting of trade unions, civil groups and political parties that gold mining in particular was frozen until further notice, Radio France International reported.