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Lesotho 'coup': Thabane calls on South Africa to send peacekeeping troops Lesotho 'coup': Thabane calls on South Africa to send peacekeeping troops
(35 minutes later)
Lesotho's exiled prime minister has called on neighbouring South Africa to send troops to the tiny mountain kingdom after accusing the military of seizing power in a coup.Lesotho's exiled prime minister has called on neighbouring South Africa to send troops to the tiny mountain kingdom after accusing the military of seizing power in a coup.
Tom Thabane fled to South Africa on Saturday in fear of his life after the military surrounded his residence and attacked police headquarters, killing one officer and confiscating weapons.Tom Thabane fled to South Africa on Saturday in fear of his life after the military surrounded his residence and attacked police headquarters, killing one officer and confiscating weapons.
Since then there have been reports of hundreds of police deserting across the border, residents stocking up on food and basic necessities and confusion over who is running the country of 2 million people.Since then there have been reports of hundreds of police deserting across the border, residents stocking up on food and basic necessities and confusion over who is running the country of 2 million people.
Lesotho, the impoverished "kingdom in the sky" 1,500 metres above sea level, is entirely surrounded by South Africa and has endured numerous military coups since gaining independence from Britain in 1966. Britain's Prince Harry has visited several times and co-founded a charity to help orphans there.Lesotho, the impoverished "kingdom in the sky" 1,500 metres above sea level, is entirely surrounded by South Africa and has endured numerous military coups since gaining independence from Britain in 1966. Britain's Prince Harry has visited several times and co-founded a charity to help orphans there.
The latest rupture is said to follow a power struggle between Thabane, who commands the loyalty of the police, and deputy prime minister Mothetjoa Metsing, who has the support of the army. Tensions have been high since June when Thabane suspended parliament to avoid a vote of no confidence. The latest rupture is said to follow a power struggle between Thabane, who commands the loyalty of the police, and the deputy prime minister, Mothetjoa Metsing, who has the support of the army. Tensions have been high since June when Thabane suspended parliament to avoid a vote of no confidence.
Both men are now at crisis talks with South African president Jacob Zuma in Pretoria, where Thabane called on the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to send peacekeeping troops, warning that the "situation is out of hand", his aide Samonyane Ntsekele said. Both men are now at crisis talks with the South African president, Jacob Zuma, in Pretoria, where Thabane called on the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to send peacekeeping troops, warning that the situation is out of hand, his aide Samonyane Ntsekele said.
"You can no longer say you can only send a mission," Ntsekele told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "You need an intervention of soldiers.""You can no longer say you can only send a mission," Ntsekele told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "You need an intervention of soldiers."
Metsing and a third coalition party leader, Thesele Maseribane, are also in Pretoria for meetings with officials from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.Metsing and a third coalition party leader, Thesele Maseribane, are also in Pretoria for meetings with officials from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
On Monday one of Metsing's allies, public service minister Motloheloa Phooko, declared that he is now in charge. "I am acting prime minister," he told AFP, citing "cabinet protocol" for his temporary appointment. On Monday one of Metsing's allies, public service minister Motloheloa Phooko, declared that he is now in charge. "I am acting prime minister," he told AFP, citing "cabinet protocol" for his temporary appointment. But asked who is leading the military, Phooko admitted: "That is a difficult question."
But asked who is leading the military, Phooko admitted: "That is a difficult question."
Since Saturday's offensive, the military has mostly returned to barracks, denying a coup and claiming that soldiers were conducting a security operation against police who intended to arm "political fanatics" in a demonstration. One policeman was shot dead and four injured.Since Saturday's offensive, the military has mostly returned to barracks, denying a coup and claiming that soldiers were conducting a security operation against police who intended to arm "political fanatics" in a demonstration. One policeman was shot dead and four injured.
Metsing, the leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), part of an uneasy coalition government with Thabane, has denied any role in the operation. Phooko is also a member of the LCD, which is demanding the reopening of parliament.Metsing, the leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), part of an uneasy coalition government with Thabane, has denied any role in the operation. Phooko is also a member of the LCD, which is demanding the reopening of parliament.
A mass LCD demonstration planned for Monday was cancelled at the military and police's request. In Maseru, the atmosphere was calm but tense after the police commissioner Khothatso Ts'ooana said soldiers had carried out further raids on police installations and even officers' homes, taking away weapons and uniforms.A mass LCD demonstration planned for Monday was cancelled at the military and police's request. In Maseru, the atmosphere was calm but tense after the police commissioner Khothatso Ts'ooana said soldiers had carried out further raids on police installations and even officers' homes, taking away weapons and uniforms.
Police stations were deserted but Harris Majeke, South Africa's high commissioner to Lesotho, denied that there had been a breakdown of law and order. "There is no problem in Lesotho because the government is still in place," he told eNews Channel Africa. "There's no violence. It's business as usual."Police stations were deserted but Harris Majeke, South Africa's high commissioner to Lesotho, denied that there had been a breakdown of law and order. "There is no problem in Lesotho because the government is still in place," he told eNews Channel Africa. "There's no violence. It's business as usual."
Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary-general, expressed concern about the "military takeover" and called for respect for "democratic rule".Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary-general, expressed concern about the "military takeover" and called for respect for "democratic rule".
Coup-prone Lesotho's constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. At least 58 residents and eight South African soldiers died during a political stand-off and subsequent fighting in 1998. Coup-prone Lesotho's constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. At least 58 residents and eight South African soldiers died during a political standoff and subsequent fighting in 1998.
Thabane told the BBC he would return to the country "as soon as I know I am not going to get killed".Thabane told the BBC he would return to the country "as soon as I know I am not going to get killed".