Burundi coup plotters arrested

Three leaders of a failed coup against Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza have been arrested, Mr Nkurunziza's spokesman, Gervais Abayeho has said.

However coup leader, Gen Godefroid Niyombare is still on the run.

Mr Nkurunziza, who was in Tanzania when the coup attempt against his bid to seek a third term was launched, is expected to make a national address on his return this Friday.

President Pierre Nkurunziza was Friday en route from his home town to the central African nation's capital, state radio said.

Nkurunziza was in Tanzania on Wednesday for talks with regional leaders when a top general announced he was launching an attempted coup to stop the president from seeking a controversial third term in office.

After loyalist troops held off an assault on the state broadcaster on Thursday, the president returned to the country, travelling first to his home town of Ngozi, 140km north of the lakeside capital Bujumbura.

The state radio report said supporters of the president were lining the road, cheering and singing as he passed.

Nkurunziza is expected to address the nation later Friday.