A group of Portuguese-speaking countries plans to meet Saturday to discuss a coup that roiled the tiny nation of Guinea-Bissau , plunging it into more chaos after nearly four decades of instability . Foreign ministers from the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries group will discuss the coup at a gathering in Lisbon . Guinea-Bissau is a member of the group . The group also includes Portugal , Angola , Mozambique and Brazil . Meanwhile , the military has called all of the country 's political parties -- `` without exception '' -- to hold a meeting Saturday , said Daba Naualna , a spokesman for the army 's chief of staff . `` The situation is normal . We are trying to find a solution , '' Naualna told CNN . Regarding the Lisbon talks , Naualna said that the military is following them . `` It is very far from Guinea-Bissau , '' he added . Coups and coup attempts are common in Guinea-Bissau since it won its independence from Portugal in 1974 . In the latest coup , soldiers arrested the acting president and prime minister , a military spokesman said Friday , as gunfire and explosions rocked the capital of Bissau . President Raimundo Pereira and Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Jr. were taken into custody Thursday night , sparking international condemnation . Both leaders are well and alive , said Naualna . He said a group called the military command was behind the arrests , though it was unclear who its members are . Leaders of the nation 's armed forces have taken control of the nation to ensure stability , according to the spokesman . `` The ( army chief of staff ) thinks , for the sake of the country , that power can not fall into the streets and decided to have ( the military ) play its part in seeking solutions with the political class to resolve this crisis , '' the spokesman said . Military leaders said they have no desire to `` stay in power '' and asked political parties to send ideas on what to do next by Sunday , the spokesman said . A meeting will take place that day to discuss the proposals . World leaders condemned the coup , which occurred just before the second round of a presidential election set for April 29 . The African Union , the United Nations and the United States called for a return to civilian rule and demanded the release of the leaders . U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the United States was `` deeply concerned '' about the safety of residents . `` We urge all parties to put down their weapons , release government leaders immediately , and restore the legitimate civilian leadership , '' he said . `` We remain deeply concerned about the safety of the country 's interim president , senior figures , and others who may be put in harm 's way because of these actions , '' the White House said in a statement . In a statement , the military command said the revolt was in response to a `` secret deal '' between the government and Angola . This `` deal '' was drawn up to allow Angolan troops in the country to attack Guinea-Bissau 's military , '' a communique from the group said . This group says the president and the prime minister signed the deal and accuses the African Union , whose rotating presidency is currently held by Angola , of supporting intervention by Angolan forces . Guinea-Bissau 's history has been marked by several military coups and these conflicts have ravaged its infrastructure and economy , leaving it among the poorest in the world . The nation 's first round of voting in a presidential election was held in March , and campaigning for the second round was about to begin . The election was prompted by the death of the incumbent Malam Bacai Sanha in January after a long illness . Residences of the prime minister and some government ministers were looted , witnesses said . Public media outlets are under the control of the army and are regularly broadcasting statements from the military , witnesses said Friday . Angola , also a former Portuguese colony , issued a statement earlier this week stating its intention to unilaterally withdraw its troops . A number of Angolan troops are in the country to help reform the country 's armed forces , Angola said . Sanha had become president in September 2009 after the assassination of his predecessor . Despite his coming to power in what international observers deemed a fair and peaceful election , his tenure was marked by turmoil among the country 's military and political leadership . To date , no democratically elected president of the country has served a full , five-year term .
All of Guinea-Bissau 's political parties are ordered to meet on Saturday too . Guinea-Bissau has had several coups since it gained independence in 1974 . A military spokesman says the acting president and prime minister are detained . He says no one was hurt or killed despite gunfire and explosions .