PARIS, July 31. /TASS/. Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, who was seized during a military coup together with his family, is in fine condition and expects positive developments to take place, Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou of the West African country said in an interview with France 24 television.

"President Bazoum is keeping his head on straight; he is a big fighter, an experienced politician and a man who has always talked straight. He has taken the situation with optimism, so we can hope that he believes in good developments," Mahamadou noted, adding that the president "is in fine condition."

Mahamadou gave the interview while on a visit to Paris. He confirmed that he remained "the head of President Mohamed Bazoum’s government" despite the fact that Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou, who had also been out of the country during the military coup, proclaimed himself to be acting head of government.

On July 26, military rebels in Niger announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum, closure of national borders, introduction of a curfew and suspension of the constitution, as well as a ban on political parties. On July 28, they declared that General Abdourahmane Tchiani had become head of state. During the coup, Tchiani headed the presidential guard, units of which physically seized President Bazoum and continue to hold him.