People in various cities of the West African country of Niger have demonstrated in support of their new military rulers after a coup was carried out last Thursday.

Thousands of people in the capital Niamey and the second largest city, Zinder, took to the streets shouting slogans like 'long live the army'.

The coup ousted President Mamadou Tandja. The President and his government were arrested. A number of ministers have been released, but seven are still in detention. Earlier, the junta said that all ministers had been released.

The country's new rulers have promised to hold elections but have so far not named a date. They say the political situation in the country must first stabilise.
 
A joint mission from the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of the West African States is to visit Niger today to study the situation.