Niger general who led coup asks for support

Supporters of mutinous soldiers hold up a Russian flag as they demonstrate in Niamey, Niger, on Thursday (Sam Mednick/AP)

The general who led a coup in Niger has taken to state television to ask for support for the takeover.

It comes two days after members of the military detained democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum – sparking political chaos which could set back the nation’s fight against jihadists and increase Russia’s influence in West Africa.