Coup attempt

FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE, May 25: Soldiers staged an attempted coup in this west African country today and their leader said the president had fled.

Gun fire and mortar fire was heard throughout the capital, Freetown. In at least one case, it appeared to be aimed at a helicopter travelling overhead. In other cases, it was not clear whether it indicated gun battles, or simply attempts by the coup troops to establish their presence. The coup attempt, launched with a massive prison break, comes weeks after a rebel war appeared to have restarted. A fragile peace accord last year ended the five-year rebel war that had ravaged the country and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.