Niger Soldiers Mutiny, Seize 2 Officials and State Radio Station

Unpaid soldiers mutinied Friday and seized the state radio station and two civilian leaders. They freed the hostages after being promised back pay, but hours later took over the broadcast center again.

No casualties were reported, though thousands of students marched into town to protest the revolt.

Mutineers’ demands have included the immediate return to the capital of Prime Minister Amadou Cheffou, who is away; dismissal of several army officers and release of another officer from prison.

For six hours, the soldiers held Interior Minister Mohamed Moussa and Andre Salifou, president of Niger’s High Council, an interim ruling body installed in November to end 16 years of military rule.

The 3,200-member army has not been paid for two months, like all government employees in this impoverished West African nation of 7.7 million people.

Former military leader Ali Saibou was said to have played a key role in negotiations--a sign he still has a hold on the army. That could bode ill for the transition to democracy that began last year.