Military revolt spreads to Niger capital

NIAMEY, Niger -- Mutinous soldiers tried to take over three garrisons in the capital of Niger on Monday, but were repelled by loyalist troops in a gun battle that lasted more than two hours, government officials said.

Hama Amadou, prime minister of the West African nation, said the city of Niamney remained under government control.

The six-day-old revolt launched in eastern Niger by soldiers demanding months of unpaid back salary is the gravest challenge to the government since civilian authority was restored in 1999.

Monday, members of three army garrisons in Niamey rebelled out of sympathy. Loyalist soldiers and the mutineers then battled within the garrisons, a Defense Ministry statement said.

Frightened residents heard more than two hours of gunfire that ended before dawn.

Loyalist forces put down the uprising, arrested several mutineers and searched for others, the Defense Ministry said.

There was no immediate indication of casualties in Niamey. After a tense night, citizens reported to work, but presidential guards surrounded the home of President Tandja Mamadou.

In eastern Niger, authorities claimed to have retaken the garrison city of Diffa, where the uprising began.