Soldiers loot Mali presidency after ousting leader  BABA AHMED
MARTIN VOGL Associated Press Published:  BAMAKO, Mali (AP) --
Soldiers looted the presidential palace Thursday hours after
saying they were taking control of one of the few established
democracies in this corner of Africa. There were conflicting
reports on President Amadou Toumani Toure's whereabouts.
Gunfire rang throughout the capital and soldiers carted
televisions and other goods out of the palace following a coup
announcement on state television. Toure had been due to leave
office after elections on April 29, but now it appears the vote
will not be held.  One senior official said Toure was safely
esconced at a military camp, protected by his red beret-wearing
guards. Another denied the report, saying he was not at that
base.  The mutineers said they were overthrowing the government
because of its mishandling of an ethnic Tuareg insurgency in the
country's north that began in January. The rebellion includes
fighters who had supported Moammar