Dozens of military officers have been arrested in the West African nation of Guinea Bissau following a suspected coup attempt in the country.

Military officials told VOA's Portuguese to Africa service that several political officials will also be arrested on suspicion of supporting the rebel soldiers in addition to the dozens of high ranking military officials already detained.

The government says it has created a commission to fully investigate the incident, which it denies was a coup attempt.

On Monday, military factions battled each other in the capital, Bissau, after rebel soldiers raided an armory and stormed the armed forces headquarters in the city.

Authorities have arrested the country's naval chief, Rear-Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto, along with the former army chief of staff in connection with the violence.

Some reports suggest the attempt was the result of a rivalry between Tchuto and the current army chief, General Antonio Indjai.