US security cooperation with Niger 'in jeopardy' after coup, says Blinken – video

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said Washington's security cooperation with Niger was in jeopardy as a result of the overthrow this week of the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum. Addressing reporters during a visit to Australia, Blinken said: 'Our economic and security partnership with Niger - which is significant, hundreds of millions of dollars - depends on the continuation of the democratic governance and constitutional order that has been disrupted by the actions in the last few days.'

Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the presidential guard since 2011, said on state television on Friday that he was the leader of the group of soldiers behind the coup. Bazoum was elected two years ago in Niger's first peaceful democratic transfer of power since it declared independence from France in 1960

• EU suspends support and security cooperation with Niger after coup

• Niger coup: US offers unflagging' support to ousted leader as sanctions threatened