2 Coup Attempts Thwarted in Togo

LOME, Togo — Rebel troops twice seized the state broadcasting center Tuesday in a botched coup attempt against a civilian government trying to end 24 years of military dictatorship in this west African nation.

State television reported that the troops, after seizing the station in the morning, departing in a hail of bullets a few hours later and then returning in the afternoon, had left a second time as nightfall approached.