Russia says it helped to repel Niger attempted coup

The authorities have not said how many soldiers were involved in the attempted coup, nor how many casualties there were.Niger's military ruler, Gen Tiani, who was sworn in as its president last year after he deposed its elected leader, has also not publicly addressed the incident.The nation's state broadcaster showed footage of several alleged mutineers being arrested by the Presidential Guard. On Sunday, Niger Press Agency reported that commercial activity was returning to normal, with petrol stations, shops and other businesses reopening.Supporters of the government gathered at a public square in central Niamey in support of the security forces and Tiani's government.Air Base 101, the military site attacked on Saturday, is part of the Diori Hamani airport complex.It hosts Nigerien military aircraft and drones, as well as an Alliance of Sahel States counter-terrorism unit. Russian and Italian forces are also based there, according to news agency Reuters.Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are all military-ruled countries that have cut ties with Western partners and strengthened their co-operation with Russia.