Supporters of Niger's coup leaders take part in a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, August 6, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS)

State television announced the airspace closure Sunday night, hours before the deadline set by West African regional bloc ECOWAS, which has warned of military intervention if democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum isn’t returned to power.

The new military government implemented several preventive and vigilance measures in the capital Niamey and sought help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner in Mali against ECOWAS intervention.

Mali and Burkina Faso on Monday sent a joint delegation to Niamey in a show of solidarity with the coup.

ECOWAS spokesperson Amos Lungu said on Monday that the bloc will hold an extraordinary summit on Thursday to address the political crisis in Niger. Sources quoted a senior military official from ECOWAS saying the bloc has not yet launched an attack on Niger because more preparation is needed to ensure the success of the intervention.

Germany's foreign ministry echoed calls for a diplomatic solution, saying Germany supports ECOWAS in its mediation efforts. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview published on Monday that ECOWAS should extend its deadline for the reinstatement of Bazoum.