Top Niger junta leader defends coup; UN, African diplomats say encouraged after talks

Top Niger junta leader defends coup

NIAMEY, Niger — A top leader of Niger’s new military junta is defending last week’s coup d’etat, saying the army overthrew the uranium-rich nation’s dictatorial president to restore stability after he refused to step down when his mandate expired.

Col. Djibrilla Hima Hamidou spoke Sunday after a delegation of diplomats from the United Nations, the African Union and a West African regional bloc told reporters they were encouraged by junta assurances to restore civilian rule through elections.

The military turned against ex-President Mamadou Tandja on Thursday, attacking the presidential palace in broad daylight while a Cabinet meeting was under way.