Junta leaders in Niger refuse to let top US official meet ousted president

Victoria Nuland said commanders rejected calls to restore democracy and blocked her from meeting Mohamed Bazoum, who is under house arrest

Junta leaders in Niger have refused to let a senior US official meet the West African country's ousted president and rejected her calls to restore democracy after last month's coup.

Victoria Nuland, the US acting deputy secretary of state, described frank and difficult" talks during a two-hour meeting in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, on Monday, as the rebellious commanders again refused to give in to international pressure to stand down.