The announcement comes after the military government in Burkina Faso said it would regard any armed intervention against the coup leaders in neighbouring Niger as a declaration of war.

The military government in Mali has taken the same position.

It comes as a deadline by the West African bloc Ecowas for the military coup leaders in Niger to restore constitutional order and reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum lapsed on Sunday evening.

Ecowas is yet to make a statement on the next line of action which includes military intervention.

The grouping earlier stated that this would be a “last option” if all other political and diplomatic options fail.