Reply #28: Niger says France should not interfere on Libyans [View All]

[pinboy3niner]

Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:54pm GMT

• Niger has about 32 Gaddafi supporters, including son Saadi

• France should not interfere, minister says

• Says "uncomfortable" France was asked to intervene


By John Irish


PARIS, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Niger's foreign minister said on Thursday that France should not interfere in its relations with Libya, after Paris said it had been asked by Libya's new government to secure the return of Gaddafi loyalists who fled to Niger.

Three convoys containing important members of Gaddafi's entourage have arrived in Niger in the past seven days, including Gaddafi's son Saadi, Gaddafi's security chief and at least two top generals, all of whom are now in the capital.

Speaking during a lightning visit to Tripoli on Thursday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Libya's interim leader had asked Paris to intervene with Niger's authorities to ensure their return. Sarkozy said diplomatic contacts would take place on Friday.

"France is a close ally ... but on questions linked to Libya we would rather requests came from Libya and not France. That's clear," Niger Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum told Reuters in a telephone interview.
...

"We have recognised the NTC. If we hadn't then we would have understood why they would go through France."
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http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7KF3H020110915?sp=true