NIAMEY, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerien military officers who on Thursday staged a coup d'etat against President Mamadou Tandja had their first voice heard at night, declaring an end to his rule since 1999.

In this declaration which was broadcast by the national radio and television at about 10. p.m. local time (2200 GMT), the putschists said through their spokesman Col. Abdoulkarim Goukoye that "the defense and security forces of Niger have decided on Feb. 18 to bring to an end the tensed political situation that the country was going through."

The West African country has been suffering tensions since Tandja had a new constitution in place last year to seek his third term, a move widely condemned as unconstitutional. The African Union and the regional bloc ECOWAS suspended Niger amid Tandja's further steps to consolidate his grip on power.

In Thursday's coup, a Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) was set up by the military. It immediately suspended "the constitution of the 6th Republic" and dissolved all institutions created under the constitution.

"We are asking the population to remain calm and unite around the ideas cherished by CSRD which will guide Niger to become an example of democracy and good governance and just like other countries, be able to enjoy peace and stability."

"We reaffirm our commitment to honor the treaties and conventions that have recently been entered into by the state of Niger. We appeal to the national and international groups to help us in our patriotic move to save Niger and her population from poverty, lies and corruption," the CSRD spokesman said.

The military appealed to all Niger's partners to have confidence in the Nigerien army which it said will guarantee national unity, territorial integrity and guard the superior interests of the people.

The coup d'etat happened when the cabinet was meeting at the Presidential Palace in Niger in the presence of President Tandja, who is now reportedly in the hands of mutineers along with several of his ministers.