Niger coup: Deadline arrives for leaders to stand down and reinstate president

News Snapshot:

A deadline for Niger's coup leaders to stand down and reinstate the country's elected president has arrived. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Friday its defence chiefs had drawn up a plan for military action if the junta, which has said it will not bow to outside pressure, did not comply by Sunday. Hours before the deadline, supporters of the coup joined security forces in the streets of Niger's capital Niamey to stand guard and check cars for weapons following a call from leaders to watch out for foreign intervention and spies. Image: Defence chiefs from...