Niger: Gunfire erupts in capital in apparent coup bid
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Smoke was seen rising from the presidential palace amid heavy gunfire in Niger's capital, Niamey, on Thursday in what one intelligence official said was a coup attempt.
Political tensions have been high in the central African uranium exporting country in recent months over President Mamadou Tandja's extension of his rule, which drew widespread criticism and international sanctions. Witnesses said machine gun and heavy weapons fire erupted in the city and that smoke was rising from the presidential palace. (Reuters)
