PRETORIA, July 31. /TASS/. Niger’s new military authorities are arresting politicians close to President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held by the rebels, Reuters said on Monday, citing the formerly ruling party.

Among those arrested are the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism's president Foumakoye Gado, oil minister Sani Mahamadou and mining minister Ousseini Hadizatou.

Today’s arrests come a day after the emergency summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded that Niger restore constitutional order within a week.

On the evening of July 26, the rebels announced on national television the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum, the closure of the republic's borders, a curfew, the suspension of the constitution, and a ban on the activity of political parties.

On July 28, they declared that General Abdurahmane Tchiani had become the head of state. During the coup, he led the presidential guard, whose units detained Bazoum and continue to keep him in custody.