ANC condemns Lesotho coup

 JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress has joined the growing level of condemnation of the coup in Lesotho.

The party has called on the Lesotho Defence Force to return to barracks and allow the government to continue functioning.

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane confirmed yesterday that the military had seized power in a coup and that he had fled to South Africa.

The Sunday Times is reporting that the South African special forces interned, taking Thabane across the border to safety in the Free State.

Reports said Lesotho soldiers seized control of the police headquarters and the premier's residence in the capital Maseru in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Lesotho's military has however denied it seized power and says it was only disarming the police who were preparing to give arms to certain political parties.

The South African government said it's not yet sending troops to Lesotho.

It says diplomacy should first be given a chance and the situation should be resolved through peaceful means.

However the African Union and Southern African Development Community have been called on to assist.