Eritrea makes arrests over assassination bid

ASMARA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Eritrea said on Tuesday it had made an undisclosed number of arrests in connection with the attempted assassination of the Red Sea state's powerful internal security chief last week.

Information Minister Ali Abdu told Reuters that the Asmara government would not comment on the reasons behind the attempt on the life of Colonel Simon Ghebredengel.

"The perpetrators have come under our control. There have been arrests in connection with the attempted assassination," he said.

The government had full control of the situation, he said by telephone.

Ali would not say how many people had been detained, but said the investigation was ongoing.

On Oct. 13, an unknown number of assailants shot Ghebredengel. The government says he is in a stable condition.

Ali would not comment on reports on foreign-based opposition Web sites that the attack may have been linked to the death of a prominent businessman a few weeks ago.

Analysts say Eritrea's security forces hold immense power over the nation's 4 million people. Asmara has no organised internal opposition and attacks against government officials are rare.

Human rights groups accuse Eritrea's security services of illegally arresting and imprisoning Eritreans and keeping the country under tight control.