Liberia, Dec. 7 -- An attempted coup to overthrow President Patrice Talon's government in Benin Republic on Sunday thwarted after a small group of mutineers in military uniforms failed to reach the presidential residence, instead seizing the state television station in Cotonou.

According to reports, security forces quickly surrounded the national broadcaster, ending the brief standoff, and by midday, the Republican Guard and army units had regained full control of the facility, with no casualties reported.

Eyewitnesses said fewer than 20 armed men stormed the Benin Television compound, briefly interrupting programming before being contained. The group was unable to advance toward the heavily fortified presidential palace in Porto Novo, ...