Counter-coup attempt under way in Mali

Several people reported killed in fight between coup troops and those loyal to ousted president at national broadcaster.

Fighting has broken out in Mali’s capital, with troops who took part in last month’s military coup and the guard of the newly installed president exchanging shots, witnesses said.

Several people have been killed in a gunfight on Monday between the coup troops and the presidential guard loyal to ousted leader Amadou Toumani Toure at the national TV and radio station, employees said.

“There were deaths” in the gunfight after the presidential guard tried to take back the station, which has been held by rebel soldiers since the March 22 coup, said an employee who asked not to be named, without giving numbers.

Bakary Doucoure, an eyewitness, said there was fighting around the building that houses the country’s national broadcaster and that ambulances were at the scene. The broadcaster has been in the hands of the junta ever since the March 21 coup.