The army carried out a coup d'état in Mali

The Malian army took over power in Mali today, after several hours of intense fighting, agencies report.

This morning, around four o'clock, representatives of the army appeared on state television and announced that they had overthrown the "incompetent regime", abolished "all institutions", suspended the Constitution and introduced a curfew.

The spokesman of the army, Amadu Konare, stated that this was done because the President of Mali Amadu Tumani Toure and his regime are not able to adequately respond to the crisis in the north of the country, where the rebellion of armed groups has been going on since mid-January.

Lt. Connor said the coup was necessary because the army lacked the resources to defend itself against armed groups in the north, and because of the government's "inability to fight terrorism."

He said that the army was engaged, but that civilian rule would be reintroduced and a government of national unity would be formed.

A soldier said yesterday that the army was in control of the presidential palace, and another source told AFP that President Toure was no longer there.

In Mali, the rebellion of the National Liberation Movement, Azawad and other Tuareg rebel groups has been going on since mid-January. Since then, they have occupied several cities in the north of the country.

The Malian government has previously accused a branch of Al Qaeda in the Maghreb, which has its bases in northern Mali, of collaborating with the National Liberation Movement.

Gallery