More Zambian coup plotters arrested

Lusaka - Zambian defence officials said yesterday that two more soldiers believed to have participated in Tuesday's coup attempt…

Lusaka - Zambian defence officials said yesterday that two more soldiers believed to have participated in Tuesday's coup attempt in Lusaka had been arrested.

Zambian radio, quoting a defence official, said the two soldiers were found hiding in a cargo container at the Zambia Broadcasting Corporation, where coup leader Capt Steven Lungu was arrested on Tuesday hours after announcing he had overthrown the government of President Frederick Chiluba.

The radio said the two new arrests bring to 17 the number of soldiers detained for trying to topple the government. State House said the search for more suspects was continuing.

Capt Lungu, who identified himself as "Captain Solo" in an early morning broadcast on Tuesday, said he had overthrown the government because of its "corrupt and criminal means". Five hours later, Mr Chiluba said he had crushed the coup and was fully in control of the country.