Sierra Leone soldiers arrested in plot to overthrow government

Six soldiers were in custody in Sierra Leone in connection with a plot to attack President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah's home and overthrow his government. Police indicated they expected to make more arrests. They refused to identify those arrested on Monday, saying they did not want to scare off others who might be connected to the plot. The government announced the coup plot on Monday. If successful, it would have been the third military coup in this West African country since 1992, and the second in the past eight months.

Mr Kabbah, who took office in March after elections to end army rule, said renegade soldiers planned to attack his residence at 5am Monday and ambush his motorcade as it travelled to State House. The Information Minister, George Banda Thomas, said two soldiers who were arrested were co-operating with the investigation. Freetown - AP