Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi was not harmed when his convoy was attacked by a group of unidentified gunmen, according to news reports reaching here.

"The president was safe and unhurt, but unfortunately, several members of the presidential guards were wounded in the exchange of fire with the attackers," presidential advisor Edga Guididi said in an interview with Benin's national television station.

The incident happened late on Thursday in Parakou region, some 400 km north of the West African country's main port city, Cotonou.

The president's convoy was under attack when they returned from a campaign rally for the parliamentary election set for March 25.

Yayi's home town, Tchaourou, lies some 50 kilometers south of Parakou.

During the run-off of last year's presidential election, Yayi was elected as president with 74.51 percent ballots. He was sworn on April 6, 2006.

Source: Xinhua