FREETOWN - As the evacuation of foreigners intensified yesterday Sierra Leone's coup leaders unexpectedly announced the closure of the country's borders and a total ban on domestic and international flights. "All borders are now closed - land, sea and air. All international flights are banned and prohibited. No aircraft [is allowed] over Sierra Leone territory," said an official announcement broadcast on slate radio.
Earlier The United States rebuffed an appeal by Sierra Leone's Washington ambassador to use marines from a US warship sent to evacuate 250 Americans. But rumours persisted that Nigerian troops deployed there might use force to restore the ousted elected civilian regime.
Between 60 to 70 non-essential personnel, as well as dependants of EU diplomats, were to be flown out by midday, an EU official said.