Lesotho 'coup': Sadc rejects Thabane's troop request

Mr Thabane fled to South Africa on Saturday, claiming the military had staged a coup - a charge it denied.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma hosted emergency talks with Mr Tabane and others on Monday.

Lesotho, a mountain kingdom surrounded by South Africa, has experienced several coups since independence in 1966.

"surrounded by Africa", the fate of the country is linked to South African politics.