A Dutch businessman has been arrested in Guinea-Bissau for allegedly circulating "false information" about a potential coup, the country's army chief said Thursday.

"There are people who are spreading false information about a coup being prepared. One of them is Jan Van Maanen... I had him arrested," army chief of staff General Antonio Indjai told a news conference in the capital, accusing the Dutchman of inciting unrest.

The suspect, who is also an honorary consul for Britain in Bissau, was arrested at his home by soldiers on Wednesday evening, the military leader said.

The general added there was no truth to the coup speculation and urged residents to remain calm, dismissing any talk of a coup as "just rumours".

Guinea-Bissau has suffered chronic instability since independence from Portugal in 1974 due to conflict between the army and state.

A coup last April caused further turmoil in the west African nation, one of the world's poorest.

No president has ever completed a full term in office in the country.