Niger: Constitution Crisis Turned Coup

NIAMEY,Feb 18 (IRIN) - Small vendors abandoned their stalls as thetypical lunch hour break opened with gunfire at the presidential palaceshortly after 1pm local time in Niger's capital, Niamey. Firingcontinued intermittently with the military blocking all roads leadingto the palace. Government helicopters were circling the city and firedin the afternoon, according to residents.

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