Benin minister says armed forces foil coup attempt

Benin's interior minister said on Sunday armed forces had foiled a coup attempt after a group of soldiers in the West African nation claimed on national television to have seized power.

The attempted coup was latest threat to democratic norms in the region, where the military have in recent years seized power in Benin's neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, only last month, Guinea-Bissau.

At least eight soldiers, several wearing helmets, went on state television to announce that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal had taken over and was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution and closing air, land and maritime borders.

"The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail," said a statement read by one of the soldiers.

However, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said in a statement later on Sunday that the West African country's armed forces had thwarted the attempted coup.

Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari had earlier told Reuters that "a small group" of soldiers had attempted to overthrow the government but that forces loyal to President Patrice Talon were working to restore order.