The tiny former Spanish colony, which consists of a steamy mainland slab and five inhabited islands, is a major oil and gas producer and one of Africa's biggest recipients of US investments.

The source said the relocated army men had all served for many years in the mainland town of Bata under General Agustin Ndong Ona, a half-brother of strongman President Teodoro Obian Nguema. The general was reported to have twice attempted to commit suicide recently.

Now in Spain for medical treatment, Ndong Ona reportedly drove his automobile into the sea after "strong words" with the president's eldest son, also called Teodoro Nguema Obiang.

Despite the fact the soldiers had been based in Bata with their families for many years, they were hurried off to the main island, Bioko, where the capital is located and into the tropical interior of the mainland, the source said.

In addition, about 60 military men, including relations or friends of Ndong Ona, have been discharged from the army since mid-December, according to the source, and about 100 people have been arrested in the Mongomo region from which the president hails.

Ndong Ona was formerly inspector general of the armed forces and presidential adviser for defense and security questions.

Shortly after his first reported attempt at suicide in December, the paymaster general of the army, Lieutenant-colonal Cipriano Nguema Mba, a nephew of the general, and two other officers fled to Cameroun with the equivalent of 762,000 euros (972,000 dollars), according to the government.

The president's office has denied the interpretation that a bitter power struggle or political crisis is going on in Equatorial Guinea.

"The detention or flight of certain individuals has nothing to do with political motivations or threats against the security of the state," the presidency has stated. "It is merely a question of diversion of funds belonging to the state which had been intended to pay the salaries of armed forces personnel."

WAR.WIRE