Heavy Shooting Near Guinea Presidential Residence

Posted July 19th, 2011 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
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Guinean President Alpha Conde escaped an hour-long attack on his residence that left his home riddled with bullet holes when unknown assailants attacked early Tuesday.

One person is reported to have been killed in the attack. The Associated Press reports the victim was a member of the presidential security detail.

Mr. Conde, who was not injured, later addressed the nation and appealed for calm.

The heavy gunfire lasted for about an hour before the military took control of the Kaporo Rails neighborhood. A witness in Conakry told VOA the military has sealed the area surrounding the home.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the shooting.

Guinea held its first free and fair election late last year. The mineral-rich nation has a history of coups.