Mali's military rulers say they have arrested a French national on suspicion of spying for his country in an attempt to destabilise the African nation. In a statement read on national television late on Thursday, the junta said that Yann Vezilier was held on suspicion of working "on behalf of the French intelligence service".

A representative of the junta said the man had worked “on behalf of the French intelligence service, which mobilized political leaders, civil society actors and military personnel” to foment a coup.

Mali’s military rulers say they arrested a group of military personnel and civilians, including two Malian generals and a suspected French agent, accused of attempting to destabilize the