France, Dec. 10 -- The Elysee Palace confirmed on Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron took a hands-on role, leading a coordination drive and ensuring rapid information exchanges with regional partners in a bid to offset last weekend's coup attempt in Benin.

Macron reportedly spoke on Sunday with Benin's President Patrice Talon - whom mutinous soldiers had sought to topple - as well as leaders in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone currently holds the presidency of Ecowas, the West African regional bloc that mobilised military support to help stave off the takeover.

Benin was thrown into crisis on Sunday when renegade soldiers appeared on national television declaring Talon had been overthrown.

Armed clashes followed the putsch, ...