Sao Tome quizzes 'coup leaders'

Thirty-eight people have been quizzed over alleged involvement in an attempted coup on the island state of Sao Tome and Principe off West Africa.

The authorities say the coup plot to overthrow President Fradique de Menezes was discovered last Thursday.

They have also said ammunition and machetes were found in the home of one of the accused, Arlecio Costa.

He is an opposition politician and a former soldier, who fought in the Angolan war.

Mr de Menezes was nearly toppled in a coup in July 2003 when he was on a private visit to Nigeria.

He returned to Sao Tome after an agreement to restore democratic rule was reached with the coup leaders.