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 that several political officials also will be arrested on suspicion of supporting the rebel soldiers. That is 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.

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

On Tuesday, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence in Guinea-Bissau and called on the authorities to “to respect due process” in the investigation of the events.