WORLD IN BRIEF : GAMBIA : Overthrow Attempt Against Junta Fails

Senior officers tried to overthrow Gambia’s 4-month-old military government, but loyal troops foiled the attempt, officials said. In a statement on state radio, Lt. Sana B. Sabally, the No. 2 man in the military regime, said the coup attempt took place at the Bakau barracks in the capital, Banjul. Gunfire was heard throughout much of the night, but by morning the situation was under control, Sabally said. Several soldiers were reported killed. Military vehicles patrolled the streets later in the day, and there were no reports of further fighting. The whereabouts of Gambia’s military leader, Lt. Yahya Jammeh, were not known. Jammeh led a bloodless coup against Gambia’s elected president, Dawda Jawara, in July, ending 29 years of civilian, democratic rule. The United States cut off everything but humanitarian aid last month and demanded that Jammeh restore democratic rule within a year.