The man who led Papua New Guinea's failed coup has been arrested.

Colonel Yaura Sasa was arrested at a lodge in the Port Moresby suburb of Boroko last night, The Sunday Chronicle newspaper reported today.

Police confirmed the arrest and said Colonel Sasa was due to appear at Waigani Court today.

About 20 rebels led by Colonel Sasa entered Port Moresby's Murray Barracks last Thursday and took the defence force commander hostage.

Colonel Sasa claimed that Sir Michael Somare had appointed him as the new commander. The mutineers demanded that Sir Michael be reinstated as prime minister over current leader Peter O'Neill.

The attempted coup failed within a day.

Sir Michael's daughter said last week the former prime minister would make a public comment over the weekend.