The ruler of the breakaway Comoran island of Anjouan said today that he had crushed a coup attempt by soldiers launched two days ago in which one person was killed.
President Mohamed Bacar, whose troops clashed with rebel soldiers in the island's main town of Mutsamudu yesterday, said his forces had routed their opponents and were hunting down leaders of the takeover attempt.
"I am in complete control of Anjouan", said Mr Bacar, contacted by telephone.
"Heads will roll. Some people have abused my confidence and taken advantage of the climate of peace and serenity which I have established and have collaborated in this coup", he said.
The coup bid began on Friday evening, when soldiers seized the radio station in an attempt to reinstate former military ruler Colonel Said Abeid, who was deposed in August.
One person was killed yesterday and several others wounded when a shell fired during clashes between the rival troops hit a hospital in Mutsamudu.
