Burundi coup generals detained but leader at large

Military generals in Burundi who tried to stage a coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza were arrested Friday, the president's office said.

Godefroid Niyombare, the leader of the plot, remains at large.

Earlier Niyombare, told the AFP news agency that he along with his supporters were prepared to surrender. "I hope they won't kill us," he said.

Nkurunziza, now back in Burundi after taking part in an unrelated African crisis summit in Tanzania this week, is expected to address the nation later Friday.

Burundi is one of the world's poorest countries and has struggled to overcome lingering ethnic violence between rival Hutus and Ttusis.

The United States has advised its citizens to leave Burundi and the U.S. Embassy is closed there Friday.

The streets of Bujumbura were calm Friday following fighting on Thursday between loyalist troops and forces supporting Niyombare.

Contributing: Associated Press