West African nations demand reinstatement of Niger president after coup

Bloc issues ultimatum authorising potential use of force if Mohamed Bazoum is not released within week

A powerful bloc of west African states has suspended ties with Niger after a coup there and authorised the possible use of force if the country's democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, is not released and reinstated within a week.

The ultimatum was delivered by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) as France warned that any attacks on French citizens or its interests in Niger - a former colony - would provoke an immediate and stringent" reaction. France's embassy in Niamey, Niger's capital, was targeted during pro-junta and pro-Russia protests on Sunday.