U.S. urges end to violence in Burundi amid coup attempt

The United States on Wednesday urged all parties in Burundi to end violence and exercise restraint amid a reported coup attempt, threatening targeted sanctions on those involved in widespread violence against civilians.

State Department spokesman Jeffrey Rathke said the United States was watching "very closely" and with "great concern" the situation in the African nation, where a military general announced on Wednesday the dismissal of President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose bid for a third five-year term had sparked unrest in the country.

The Burundi presidency, however, claimed that the coup had been foiled, saying that "the situation is under control."

"We call on all parties immediately to end the violence and to exercise restraint," Rathke said at a daily news briefing, voicing support for a statement issued by a regional bloc calling for an end to violence as well as peaceful elections.

"We also call on all stakeholders to take steps to restore the conditions that are required to hold timely and credible elections, " he said, adding Washington would deny entry visas to people involved in "widespread or systematic violence" against civilians.

The U.S. and the European Union had pressed for delayed presidential polls in Burundi, originally slated for June 26, citing an uneasy situation in which at least 17 people had been killed in protests-turned-clashes since April 26.

Rathke said Washington still recognizes Nkurunziza as Burundi's president, who was reportedly trying to fly home from a regional summit in Tanzania. Endite