There are reports of further arrests by the Gambian security services -- including two senior members of the President's bodyguard.

A total of five people were detained at their homes in the early hours at the weekend.

Family members have been unable to find out where they are being held, and the security services are refusing to provide any information.

But a newspaper has reported that the five are being held in connection with a suspected conspiracy.

Ten days ago, the leader of the largest opposition party in the Gambia Ousainou Darboe, and a group of his supporters, were arrested and subsequently charged with murder.

This followed violence at an opposition rally in which a supporter of the ruling party was killed.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service