DISTURBING : Bissau is tense as the military declares its takeover and halts the election

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Guinea-Bissau's military rulers announced on Wednesday that they had taken complete control of the nation, calling for

the immediate closing of the country's borders and the suspension of all electoral activity.

Only three days have passed since the country had its presidential and legislative elections.

The announcement came after there were reports of heavy gunfire near the Bissau presidential palace earlier in the day.

Tensions in the politically unstable West African state increased, according to witnesses, as soldiers in uniform tried to protect the major access road leading to the palace.

Senior military officials read a statement acknowledging the takeover and detailing the actions being carried out as part of their control from the army headquarters in the capital.