The police in Ivory Coast have arrested a man who allegedly set busses on fire last week during mass protests in the commercial capital, Abidjan.

The violent protests have been going on for weeks since the ruling party nominated President Alassane Ouattara to seek re-election for a third term.

The directorate of police announced on Facebook that the suspect was arrested after members of the public reported him.

He was found with a can of diesel and admitted to setting several vehicles on fire with four of his friends, according to a police note published by Fraternité Matin newspaper.

President Ouattara had ruled out running for re-election but reconsidered after his preferred successor Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who had been nominated by the ruling party, died unexpectedly of a heart attack last month.