Burundi coup general orders closure of airport, borders as president tried to fly home

A picture taken at the State House in Dar es Salaam, Wednesday shows the empty seat of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza who didn't take part in the extra-ordinary East African Community summit on the Burundi crisis. (Photo:AFP)

The Burundian general who launched a coup Wednesday ordered the closure of Bujumbura airport and land borders, as President Pierre Nkurunziza tried to fly home to his troubled nation from Tanzania.

"I order the closure of the airport and border, and I ask every citizen and law enforcement down to the airport to protect it," General Godefroid Niyombare said in the radio broadcast.