Image source, AFP

A Twitter account thought to be run by Zanu-PF supporters alleges that Emmerson Mnangagwa has been made interim president.

The 75-year-old was sacked from his post as vice-president for what the government called "traits of disloyalty".

At the time, his removal was seen as making it more likely that President Mugabe's wife, Grace, would follow in her husband's footsteps as leader of Zimbabwe.

She had earlier called on her husband to remove his vice-president.

You can read our story on his sacking here.

Soldiers have seized the headquarters of Zimbabwe's national broadcaster and loud explosions and gunfire have been heard during a night of mounting tension in the capital, Harare.

An army general appeared on television to insist that there had not been a military coup and that the president and his family were "safe and sound".

But a recent post from the ruling party's own Twitter account suggests the first family has been detained.

Read more - what we know so far.

The BBC's Africa editor has said it is worth watching to see what happens to Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace, who he describes as the "real enemy" of the Emmerson Mnangagwa faction, the sacked vice-president who Zanu PF said in its series of tweets is now the interim president.

A series of tweets have been posted by a Twitter account thought to be run by supporters of Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu-PF.

The tweets deny there has been a coup, adding there had been a "bloodless transition" of power.

It is not clear who is running the account.

Despite the comments made by the military and Zanu PF, the BBC's Shingai Nyoka said the situation in Zimbabwe had "all the elements of a coup".

"There was gunfire and explosions in several suburbs in areas overnight including where senior government officials reside and where President Mugabe's private residence is.

"The army say he's safe and his security and that of his family is guaranteed.

"They deny it's a coup as they haven't usurped his power. They say they have targeted the people around him and he'll be restored to the presidency as soon as their mission is accomplished."

Image source, Reuters

A former adviser to Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has told the BBC that he believes the military's claim that they haven't carried out a coup is untrue.

"They have decided not to call it a coup because they know that a coup does not sell, it will be condemned," Alex Magaisa said.

"But as far as authority is concerned, it seems very clear that President Mugabe is now just a president in name and authority is now residing in the military."

Reuters

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called for a peaceful return to constitutional democracy following the army takeover.

The MDC, the main political challenger to Mugabe's Zanu-PF party for the last two decades, also said it hoped the military intervention would lead to the "establishment of a stable, democratic and progressive nation state".

The statement added: "We are only targeting criminals around him [Mr Mugabe] who are committing crimes".

The statement did not name those targeted but a government source quoted by Reuters said Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo was among those detained.

It is not clear who is leading the military action.

Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo read out a statement on TV came hours after soldiers overran the headquarters of ZBC. He said: "We wish to assure the nation that his excellency the president... and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed."

In Zimbabwe, the army has taken over the national broadcaster ZBC. In a statement, it said its action was to "target criminals", but denied this was a military takeover of government. President Robert Mugabe, it said, was safe but did not say where. We will bring you the latest as we get it.