SIERRA LEONE: COUP D'ETAT TOPPLES MILITARY LEADER

English/Nat

Sierra Leone's military leader is reported to have been ousted by fellow officers in a coup.

State-run radio says Captain Valentine Strasser was deposed six weeks before planned elections to return the country to civilian rule.

There are no reports of bloodshed, and Captain Strasser has been promised safe passage out of his war-torn, impoverished country.

A statement read out on the radio says Strasser has been replaced by his former closest associate in the military junta, Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.

The overthrow appeared to set the stage for another indefinite term of military rule in one of West Africa's most troubled nations.

Bio was recently interviewed by APTV in Sierra Leone.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Our problem now is we have to deal with the present situation that we have and we want to appeal to the world to pay attention to us, like they've given a lot of publicity to the situation in Bosnia, Rwanda and also Liberia very close to us. We think we form part of the international community, irrespective of our size and that they should listen to the predicament of our people and come to the aid of this country which is very much in need of humanitarian assistance."
SUPER CAPTION: Brigadier Julius Maada Bio
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