Guinea-Bissau's armed forces chief of staff was killed in an explosion in the country's military headquarters on Sunday, news agencies reported.

The explosion, which witness said was caused by a rocket attack, occurred at 20:00 local time (2000 GMT) while General Batista Tagme Na Wai was in his office.

The attack, suspected to be launched by rebel soldiers, wounded anther five, two of whom are in serious condition.

Army troops have encircled the area and were searching for the attackers, whose identities remain unknown.

The West African country has seen multiple military coups and civil strife in its history. President Joao Bernardo Vieira escaped an attack by renegade soldiers at his home last November,.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2009)