The leader of the coup that toppled Niger's president said Wednesday that French citizens had no reason to quit the country, but rejected international sanctions, vowing not to bow to "threats," AFP reported.

French people in Niger had never been subjected "to the least threat", said General Abdourahamane Tiani in a televised address.

Responding to the imposition of international sanctions imposed in response to the coup, he said he "refused to give in to any threat".