THE SMALL GROUP Of Arsonists Had Broken Away From A Larger Show Of Support For The Coup Leaders Outside Parliament, Where Russian Flags Were On Show.
Supporters Of A Coup In Niger Have Attacked The
Headquarters Of The Ousted President's Party, Setting It On Fire And Stoning
And Burning Cars Outside.
The
Army Has Now Given Its Backing To The Troops Who Took President Mohamed Bazoum Captive
On Wednesday.
Russia
Joined Other Countries And The UN In Calling For Mr Bazoum's Release.
The
64-Year-Old, Who Was Elected As Niger's President Two Years Ago, Is A Key Western
Ally In The Fight Against Islamist Militants In West Africa.
The
US And France, The Former Colonial Power, Both Have Military Bases In The
Uranium-Rich Country - And Have Condemned The Coup.
US
Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Called Up Mr Bazoum Promising Washington's "Unwavering
Support".
Mr
Bazoum Took To Twitter On Thursday Morning To Issue A Defiant Statement: "The
Hard-Won Achievements Will Be Safeguarded. All Nigeriens Who Love Democracy And
Freedom Will See To It."
His
Foreign Minister Has Also Been Trying To Rally Support And Urge Dialogue, But
The Army Chief Of Staff Said He Was Backing The Takeover To Avoid Fighting
Within The Armed Forces.
It
Remains Unclear Who Is Really In Charge Of Niger As The Junta Has Not Announced
Its Leader.