November 5, 2001	Monday	haba’an 18, 1422

MUTSAMUDU (Comoros), Nov 4: A coup attempt in the breakaway Comoran island of Anjouan has been foiled and its mastermind, former leader Lieutenant-Colonel Said Abeid Abderemane has fled, a military source here said on Sunday.

An unnamed military source announced on Radio Anjouan that “the army and loyalist forces are in control of the situation,” after the attempted putsch by Abeid, who was leader of Anjouan until three months ago.

Abeid had announced his return to power on Saturday after claiming to have deposed Major Mohamed Bacar who ousted him in August.

As Abeid read out his statement on Radio Anjouan, witnesses said that the station was surrounded by Bacar’s supporters who were said to have exchanged fire with Abeid’s backers inside the station. —AFP