Benin's president said Sunday that the "situation is completely under control" in his country after the government thwarted an attempted coup thanks to loyalist soldiers.

A group of soldiers announced earlier in the day on state television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon.

That sparked a swift response from loyal army forces, air strikes from neighbouring Nigeria and the deployment of troops from other countries in the region.

Beninese military and security sources said that around a dozen soldiers had been arrested, including those behind the coup bid.

West Africa has experienced a number of coups in recent years, including in Benin's northern neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau.

"I would like to assure you that the

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