Police surround Rawlings' home

Police briefly staked out the home of ex-President Jerry Rawlings over the weekend, signaling rising tensions between the former military ruler and Ghana's civilian government.

Rawlings' camp suggested the move was in response to a recent speech he made criticizing the government. The speech included a warning that civilian leaders were risking a military revolt.

Authorities gave no explanation for the stakeout, which included 10 police vehicles and agents of the Bureau of National Investigations late Friday, said Rawlings' assistant, Victor Smith.

Police and intelligence agents returned in smaller numbers Saturday and tried to seize a car, Smith said. They stopped when Rawlings' aides objected, Smith said.

The scene outside Rawlings' official residence was calm Sunday, with only the usual security contingent in sight.

Rawlings, a former fighter pilot, twice seized power in coups before recasting himself as a democratic leader in the late 1980s. He handed over power to longtime opposition leader John Kufuor in January.

Rawlings' supporters were angered this month when Parliament did away with the annual June 4 holiday commemorating the 1979 military uprising that first put Rawlings in charge.

Last week, Rawlings marked the anniversary with a speech lashing out at Kufuor. He spoke of discontent within the military and cautioned the government to change its ways to avoid a new revolt. Military leaders quickly denied any discontent in the ranks.