Mali junta thwarts coup

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BAMAKO, Mali, May 1 (UPI) -- The situation in Mali remains dangerous even though junta forces thwarted an attempt by the former government to regain control, a diplomat said.

Forces loyal to ousted President Amadou Toumani Toure attempted to regain control over key government institutions. Soldiers fighting in support of coup leader Capt. Amadou Sanogo appeared on state television reporting the attempt had been stopped.

"To be frank, it's been a very chaotic night and we're not sure exactly how close Toure's men got to taking back control," a Western diplomat in Bamako told London newspaper The Daily Telegraph on condition of anonymity.

"It seems now that they failed. But it shows that the junta is far from popular in all sections of the army, which is a dangerous situation."

Military leaders seized control of the country in March because they were frustrated with Toure's inability to control rebels in the north of the country, who've since claimed autonomy for the region.

Coup leaders in Mali handed power to interim President Dioncounda Traore and Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra. Both leaders have pledged to organize elections and to end a rebellion in the north of the country.

Prisoners said to be foreign fighters and mercenaries were paraded through the streets after the Toure rebellion was thwarted.