The leaders of the coup in Niger have temporarily closed the country's airspace, citing concerns about possible military intervention from neighboring countries.

Flightradar24, a flight tracking website, currently shows no aircraft in Niger's skies. The West African group of nations known as Ecowas had previously issued a warning that they might resort to force if President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated by a specified deadline.

A spokesperson for the junta stated that Niger's armed forces are prepared to defend the nation. President Bazoum was taken into custody on July 26, and Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani declared himself the new leader.

The international community, including France, the European Union, the United Nations, and the United States, has condemned the military takeover.

The junta, in a televised statement, mentioned having information about a potential foreign attack on Niger. Ecowas military chiefs discussed a detailed plan for the potential use of force following a crisis meeting in Nigeria.

"All the elements that will go into any eventual intervention have been worked out here, including the resources needed, the how and when we are going deploy the force," said Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ecowas commissioner for political affairs, peace and security.

And he added: "We want diplomacy to work, and we want this message clearly transmitted to them [Niger's junta] that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse what they have done".

Ecowas is a regional trading bloc of 15 West African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Ghana.

The coup leaders seem to be showing no sign of willingness to cede power, and on Sunday thousands of their supporters rallied defiantly at a stadium in Niger's capital Niamey.

Two of Niger's neighbours - Burkina Faso and Mali - earlier warned they would treat any outside military intervention in Niger as "a declaration of war" against them. Burkina Faso and Mali are both Ecowas members but have been suspended from the bloc since being taken over by the military.

Niger is a significant uranium producer - a fuel that is vital for nuclear power - and under Mr Bazoum was a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in West Africa's Sahel region.

In most cases prevention is better than cure.

Noted