DAKAR, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday condemned the attempted military coup in Benin and reaffirmed its support for the country's legitimate authorities.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, ECOWAS expressed "consternation" over the attempted mutiny and strongly denounced the unconstitutional action, describing it as a subversion of the will of the Beninese people.

The regional bloc called for full respect of the Constitution, commended the efforts of the government and the republican army in bringing the situation under control, and held the plot leaders responsible for any loss of life or property.

ECOWAS said it would "support the government and people of Benin by all necessary means, including the potential deployment of its regional standby force, to defend the Constitution and territorial integrity of the country."

Early Sunday, a group of soldiers in Benin announced on state broadcaster Benin TV that President Patrice Talon had been "removed from office," months ahead of the presidential election scheduled for April 2026.

A few hours after the announcement of the coup attempt, Benin's Minister of Interior and Public Security Alassane Seidou said in a statement that the armed forces had foiled the mutiny aimed at destabilizing the state and its institutions. Enditem