Burundi president fires defense chief after coup attempt

Bujumbura: Burundi's embattled President Pierre Nkurunziza sacked his defenses and foreign ministers on Monday, five days after surviving an attempted coup by generals opposed to his bid for a third term in office.

In a decree seen by Reuters, Nkurunziza declined to give any reasons for the dismissals. "President does not have to explain," one of his spokesmen said in a follow-up text message. "Constitution gives him powers to (do) so."