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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Coup Leader Leaves Amid Shakeup

Compiled From Wire Services

Defeated mercenary Bob Denard was flown out of the Comoros on Friday to face trial in France as Comorian soldiers who had backed his short-lived coup cheered their release under an amnesty.

But the man Denard ousted in last week’s coup, President Said Mohamed Djohar, appeared unlikely to return to power in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Prime Minister Mohamed Caabi el Yachroutou convened a meeting of a new government that does not include Djohar, who was evacuated to nearby La Reunion by the French forces that overturned the coup.

Asked about the possibility of Djohar returning to office, Yachroutou replied: “I don’t think so. With everything that’s happened, it will be very difficult. The country has had a shock.”