Comoros president injured in knife attack: spokeswoman

Comoros President Azali Assoumani has been slightly injured in a knife attack, the archipelago country's government spokeswoman says, adding that the attacker has been taken into custody.

The incident occurred about 2pm in Salimani Itsandra, a town just north of the capital Moroni, a local source told Reuters.

"President Azali Assoumani was slightly injured with a knife during the funeral of a great sheikh of the country. His injuries are not serious and he has returned home," government spokeswoman Fatima Ahamada told Reuters.

The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

The source from the town of Salimani Itsandra added that the attacker is a former policeman in his 20s.

In May, Assoumani was sworn in for a fourth term in office following a tense January election which his opponents claim was tainted by voter fraud.