U.N. wants calm in Guinea-Bissau

Authorities in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau are called on to respect the rule of law, the U.N. secretary-general said following a coup attempt. The top navy commander in the West African country, Rear Adm. Bubo Na Tchuto, was detained following attempts at what some authorities said was a coup attempt. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement through his office, called on authorities to respect peace-building efforts and the rule of law in the country. "The primacy of the lawful civilian authorities according to the constitution must be respected," his statement read. The U.N. Security Council last week renewed the mandate for the peace-building office in the country through February 2013. Joseph Mutaboba, U.N. special envoy to Guinea-Bissau, said the country has made progress but reforms were needed in the military, security and judicial sector. Carlos Gomes Jr., Guinea-Bissau's prime minister, was held by army soldiers briefly following an attempted coup in April 2010. African leaders said at the time the apparent power struggle underscores the need for reform in Guinea-Bissau's defense and security sector. Military officials told Voice of America that several political figures were arrested on suspicion of supporting the alleged coup this week.