Lesotho's army chief shot dead by rival soldiers

Maseru : Lesotho's army commander was shot dead by rival officers at a military barracks Tuesday, an official told AFP, in an assassination likely to revive instability in the mountainous African kingdom.

The two senior officers behind the attack were also killed in the gunfight with Khoantle Motsomotso's bodyguards, just two months after elections meant to usher in a new era of peace.

"They attempted to forcefully enter his office. There was a shoot-out between the two... and the commander's bodyguards," a military official who declined to be named told AFP.

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane confirmed the deaths at a press conference, describing them as "a serious setback to vigorous efforts to restore peace and stability."

Thabane's new coalition government took office in June after the third general election since 2012 as Lesotho endures a series of political upheavals.

Thabane, 78, previously served as premier after the 2012 elections but was forced to flee to South Africa -- which entirely surrounds landlocked Lesotho -- following an attempted coup two years later.

In August 2014, soldiers led by sacked army chief General Tlali Kamoli seized control of police headquarters after Thabane had suspended parliament to avoid a no-confidence vote.