BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AFP) - Burundi's presidency said an attempted coup by a top general on Wednesday had "failed", in a message posted on Twitter.

"The situation is under control, there is no coup in Burundi," the message from the presidency read.

The coup was announced hours after President Pierre Nkurunziza left for neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders on ending weeks of violent protests.

Tanzania later said the President was flying home.

"He has left because of the situation prevailing in Burundi," Tanzanian government spokesman Salva Rweyemamu told AFP, adding that Nkurunziza was heading back to the Burundi capital Bujumbura.