Niger extends state of alert
25/02/2008 07:54  - (SA)  

Want to know more? Answerit can help.

Niger rebels free ill hostages Niger rebels warn of attacks Rebels 'seize' Niger troops Niger on landmine alert Torture charges for Niger army

Niamey - Niger's president extended a state of alert on Sunday in the desert nation's rebellion-plagued north for another three months, state radio reported.

The alert, first declared in August and extended once already in November, gave the army the boosted powers to conduct security operations, patrols, search homes and carry out identity checks. It did not institute a curfew or other regulations that would affect daily life.

Sporadic clashes between government forces and rebels had occurred in the uranium-rich north for months and the government had banned foreigners from visiting the area.

The rebels said they were fighting for more rights for the ethnic Tuareg minority. Since a 1999 coup, the former French colony had been largely peaceful until rebels rose up late last year.

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile