Heavy gunfire erupts near the Gambia's Presidential palace in attempted coup


Soldiers from the Gambia's Presidential guard have tried to overthrow President Yahya Jammeh in his absence from the country. 

Heavy gunfire erupted near the Presidential palace in the capital, Banjul. 

There has been no official comment on 
the shooting, but a military source
told the media that the attackers have been beaten back. 

Mr Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 and his critics accuse him of leading
one of the most repressive regimes in Africa.
 
Mr Jammeh is said to be on a visit to France, while others say he is in Dubai. 

In 2011, Mr Jammeh told the BBC he would rule The Gambia for "a billion years".

Gambia is a popular tourist destination.

SOURCE: BBCNews