Maseru, Sep 9 (IANS) Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has postponed the re-opening of parliament amid tension in the country.

Thabane suspended parliament in June in an attempt to avoid a vote of no confidence that was pushed by his coalition partners, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

The suspension, along with the dismissal of army chief Tlali Kamoli, was believed to be among the factors that triggered an attempted coup in August.

Thabane said he is adamant that his decision to fire Kamoli still remains.

He also accused his coalition partner, Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, of masterminding the coup. But Metsing has denied it.

Although Thabane dismissed Kamoli and replaced him with Maaparankoe Mahao, army spokesperson Ntele Ntoli said that Kamoli is still in charge.

Ntoli dismissed reports that Kamoli has looted weapons and fled with a group of soldiers to the mountains in preparation for war against the government.

On Aug 30, the Lesotho military seized the police headquarters and the Mabote police station in Maseru, claiming that police officers intended to pass arms and ammunition to Thabane.

Police were loyal to Thabane, while the military supported his deputy Mothetjoa Metsing.

The army also raided the residence of Thabane, who fled the country to South Africa before the coup.

Soon after returning home last Monday, Thabane pledged to re-open the parliament Sep 19.

To help defuse the tension, South African President Jacob Zuma is scheduled to visit Lesotho Tuesday on a mediation mission.