President of Niger ousted in coup by military junta

NIAMEY: A junta that seized power in a coup in the West African nation of Niger named a squadron chief as its leader Friday, hours after soldiers announced on state TV that their group was in charge of the uranium-rich country.

In a statement, the junta calling itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy said it was being led by Salou Djibo.

"We, the security and defence forces, have decided to take responsibility for putting an end to the tense political situation that you are already aware of," a spokesman for the military junta said in a statement on state television on Thursday evening.