MORONI, Comoros -- The president of the Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros was "slightly injured" in a knife attack while attending the funeral of a religious leader on Friday, his office said.

President Azali Assoumani's injuries were not severe and he had returned to his home, his office confirmed in a statement. It said the attacker was apprehended by security forces and is in their custody, but provided no details regarding the attacker's identity or further information about the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Government minister Aboubacar Said Anli stated on Saturday that a civilian was also injured during the attack while trying to protect the president.

Assoumani was re-elected as president of Comoros in January in a vote that was condemned as rigged by opposition parties. At least one person died in the unrest following the election. Assoumani, 65, is a former military leader who first seized power in Comoros through a coup in 1999.

The island nation, comprised of a group of islands off the coast of eastern Africa, has experienced numerous attempts to overthrow its government since gaining independence from France in 1975.

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