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Lesotho PM Thabane returns home after fleeing 'coup' | Lesotho PM Thabane returns home after fleeing 'coup' |
(12 days later) | |
Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has returned home after fleeing the mountain kingdom to neighbouring South Africa on Saturday. | Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has returned home after fleeing the mountain kingdom to neighbouring South Africa on Saturday. |
At the time he said the military had staged a coup - a charge it denied. | At the time he said the military had staged a coup - a charge it denied. |
Regional leaders rejected his call for troops to be deployed to restore order. | Regional leaders rejected his call for troops to be deployed to restore order. |
The unrest is thought to be linked to a struggle between Mr Thabane, reportedly supported by the police, and Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, said to have the loyalty of the army. | The unrest is thought to be linked to a struggle between Mr Thabane, reportedly supported by the police, and Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, said to have the loyalty of the army. |
Mr Thabane has headed a unity government since elections in May 2012, but suspended parliament sessions in June to avoid a vote of no confidence amid feuding in his coalition. | Mr Thabane has headed a unity government since elections in May 2012, but suspended parliament sessions in June to avoid a vote of no confidence amid feuding in his coalition. |
Lesotho, which is surrounded by South Africa, has experienced several coups since independence in 1966. | Lesotho, which is surrounded by South Africa, has experienced several coups since independence in 1966. |
Audience with the king | Audience with the king |
A source in Maseru told the BBC that Mr Thabane and Mr Metsing were escorted into the capital by South African police. | A source in Maseru told the BBC that Mr Thabane and Mr Metsing were escorted into the capital by South African police. |
It is reported to be calm in the city, with business continuing as usual. | It is reported to be calm in the city, with business continuing as usual. |
South African police are guarding state house, the prime minister's official residence, and Mr Metsing's home, the source said. | South African police are guarding state house, the prime minister's official residence, and Mr Metsing's home, the source said. |
Prime Minister Thabane and his deputies are due to appear before King Letsie III later to present a report about meetings held on Sunday and Monday in South Africa to resolve the crisis. | Prime Minister Thabane and his deputies are due to appear before King Letsie III later to present a report about meetings held on Sunday and Monday in South Africa to resolve the crisis. |
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma held separate talks, under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc, with Mr Tabane and Mr Metsing. | |
Afterwards, Sadc said it would send an observer team to Lesotho and that the two leaders agreed to "clear timetables" that would lead to the restoration of parliament. | Afterwards, Sadc said it would send an observer team to Lesotho and that the two leaders agreed to "clear timetables" that would lead to the restoration of parliament. |
Conflict broke out on Saturday morning with soldiers involved in an exchange of fire outside two police stations. | Conflict broke out on Saturday morning with soldiers involved in an exchange of fire outside two police stations. |
One police officer was killed and four wounded after the military intervened, police say. | One police officer was killed and four wounded after the military intervened, police say. |
Radio broadcasts were jammed and telephone lines were out of order for several hours on Saturday. | Radio broadcasts were jammed and telephone lines were out of order for several hours on Saturday. |
A military spokesman had said the army had received intelligence that the police were going to arm factions ahead of a march by Mr Metsing's Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) to protest about the closing of parliament. | A military spokesman had said the army had received intelligence that the police were going to arm factions ahead of a march by Mr Metsing's Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) to protest about the closing of parliament. |
Mr Thabane said the actions of the army amounted to a coup and rendered his government dysfunctional. | Mr Thabane said the actions of the army amounted to a coup and rendered his government dysfunctional. |
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