Some MPs are calling for him to be dismissed on the grounds of mental incapacity.

The president said earlier that he intended to sack up to 60% of the country's civil service workers and replace them with members of his own political party, citing what he described as large-scale corruption and embezzlement.

He also warned he had given orders to shoot any politicians who tries to use the army against him or even so much as enters a military barracks.

Saviour

Mr Kumba Yalla was hailed as a saviour when elected in 2000.

However he went on to purge the army of opponents and last month he dismissed three Supreme Court judges.

Guinea Bissau suffered a series of bloody military coups following its independence from Portugal in 1974.