In Brief: Speaker stands in as president

Speaker stands in as president

Sao Tome - Leaders of a coup in Sao Tome and Prncipe named the West African island nation's parliamentary speaker as interim president, after having failed to set up a wide-ranging government of national salvation. The coup leaders, speaking two days after their bloodless coup, said Francisco Fortunato Pires would be charged with "re-establishing legality", a statement which presaged a probable return of the deposed president, Miguel Trovoada. The appointment of Mr Pires appeared to be a face-saving device, allowing the coup leaders to avoid handing back power directly to Mr Trovoada, observers said. AFP