JOHANNESBURG -- Lesotho's Prime Minister Tom Thabane on Saturday confirmed military coup in his country, saying that he had fled to neighboring South Africa.

"I have been removed from control not by the people but by the armed forces, and that is illegal," Thabane told the BBC.

Early Saturday morning, military personnel were seen driving around the residences of the prime minister and other government officials, residents in the area said.

An exchange of gunfire was heard in Mabote, where the military's special operation unit is based, according to local residents.

Lesotho has been governed by a shaky coalition for two years while the military and police are loyal to different political parties.