The worry now is whether the army might interfere again in a situation they might interpreter as unacceptable

He said he would replace them with members of his own political party, citing corruption and embezzlement of funds.

Mr Yala had early sacked three Supreme Court judges calling them false, corrupt, mediocre and liars.

The judges have been on strike since September protesting against his action.

The Security Council's statement also urged all in the country to "engage in dialogue, to promote national reconciliation in order to find a way out of the current crisis".

Parliament debate

A special session in the parliament to discuss the behaviour of Mr Yala continues sitting on Tuesday.

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

But commentators say that this is unlikely to lead to any change in the president's manner.

They say his actions are becoming increasingly dictatorial as he seeks to take total control of all the institutions of government.

Vieira was overthrown by the army two years ago

Mr Yala has also given orders to shoot any politicians who try to use the army against him or even so much as enter a military barracks.

Political analysts say Mr Yala, who came to power a year and a half ago, is proving to be a big disappointment to the people who had seen him as a saviour.

Since his election he has also removed his opponents from the military.

Dire straits

Guinea Bissau's economy is struggling and the UN said it welcomed the government's efforts to address "the economic situation and social problems".

Guinea Bissau had a bloody war three years ago which left economy in a shambles

But commentators say Mr Yala is not doing enough to help the fragile economy left behind when the war ended three years ago.

They say teachers have not been paid for 12 months and doctors and nurses too are going without their salaries.

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

The country's first free elections were held in 1994 but military coups and civil war followed until last year's election.

The worry now is, according to commentators, whether the military would interfere again in a situation they might interprete as unacceptable.