Loyalist troops aided by Nigeria's air force foiled putsch, but confidence in nation's democratic stability is shaken.

Plotters misjudged the national mood and Benin's neighbours learnt from past errors, says analyst Paul Melly.

The coup was thwarted after Nigeria sent warplanes to dislodge the mutineers from the offices of state TV.

Loyalist troops aided by Nigeria's air force foiled putsch, but confidence in nation's democratic stability is shaken.

According to several Beninese and Nigerien sources, the military authorities in Niamey were allegedly warned in advance of the attempted coup in Benin on December 7.