More chaos in Lesotho after attempt on top official's life

The attempted assassination of a top military commander plunged Lesotho into further turmoil yesterday, following an apparent coup that forced the prime minister to flee to neighbouring South Africa.

Gunmen attacked the Maseru home of Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao, district police commissioner Mofokeng Kolo confirmed, deepening a seeming battle for control of the military.

The pre-dawn attack was reportedly unsuccessful, killing only a dog, but Mahao's whereabouts are now unknown. Mahao had been appointed head of the Lesotho Defence Force by Prime Minister Tom Thabane shortly before he was forced to flee to South Africa in the early hours of Saturday.

Previous commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli was accused of leading a coup attempt against him, a charge the military denies.

Low-ranking soldiers said it was unclear who was now giving their orders. They remain confined to barracks.

As some life returned to Lesotho's streets yesterday, it was not clear who was in charge of this beautiful but poor mountainous kingdom of two million people. The size of Belgium, Lesotho is surrounded on all sides by South Africa.

Thabane is across the South African border in Ladybrand, unable or unwilling to return.