Cotonou (Benin) - (AFP) The government of Benin announced on Monday, following an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, that several people were killed in the country during a thwarted coup attempt on Sunday. The Secretary-General of the Government, Edouard Ouin-Orou, stated at the Council of Ministers meeting: "The small group of soldiers who plotted the rebellion planned to isolate the President of the Republic, take control of the Republic's institutions, and challenge the existing system". On Sunday morning, "violent clashes" broke out between the Republican Guard and the coup plotters in front of the presidential palace. Authorities have arrested some of the coup plotters, while others remain at large. Countries in the region are moving to support Benin, especially with military support. He also added: "They initially tried to neutralize or kidnap some generals and senior army officers".
