LESOTHO Prime Minister Thomas Thabane accused the military on Saturday of staging a coup and fled to South Africa.

Mr Thabane fled after the army surrounded his official residence and police stations in Lesotho capital Maseru.

Tensions have been high since June when Mr Thabane suspended parliament to avoid a vote of no confidence.

But the Lesotho army has denied a staging coup and a spokesman claimed the soldiers were only securing the country.

“We are calling on the armed forces to return to barracks and allow the democratically elected government to return to business,” said South Africa Department of International Relations spokesman Clayson Monyela.

He said actions by Lesotho’s military bore the hallmarks of a coup d’etat, but added “the situation is still unfolding.”

Mr Monyela said the 15-nation Southern African Development Community would intervene.

Lesotho defence forces spokesman Ntlele Ntoi played down the events yesterday.

“The situation in Lesotho is back to normal,” he claimed.

He alleged the military had learned that police were going to arm factions taking part in a demonstration today by the Lesotho Congress for Democracy.

The military disarmed the Maseru police to avoid bloodshed, Mr Ntoi said, adding that an exchange of gunfire between the military and police had injured one soldier and four police.

“The arms have been removed and are in military custody. The military has returned to barracks,” Mr Ntoi said.

“We are not in a position now or in the future to stage a coup.

“All we do is to carry out our mandate to secure our country and property.”