Italy has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to extend its deadline for the reinstatement of Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

ECOWAS had given the Nigerien coup leaders a week to meet its demands of restoring order or face harder sanctions, including the use of force.

Mali and Burkina Faso had also warned ECOWAS against any further interventions, adding that they would be forced to also adopt “self-defence measures” in support of the “brotherly” armed forces and the people of Niger.

Niger closed its airspace on Sunday, citing the threat of military intervention from the regional bloc after coup leaders defied the deadline to reinstate Bazoum.

Earlier, thousands of supporters flocked to a stadium in Niamey, the capital, cheering the new military regime.

Many stakeholders and countries including Russia have urged ECOWAS to explore other forms of mediation instead of force.

In an interview on Monday, Antonio Tajani, Italian foreign minister, said the only way forward is through diplomacy.

“The only way is the diplomatic one. I hope that the ultimatum of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which expired last night at midnight, will be extended today,” Tajani said.

Although ECOWAS defence chiefs had backed dialogue as the primary intervention to restore democracy, the military leaders said they have drawn up a possible military action plan, including when and where to strike, if the situation arises.