Niger’s Junta Gives French Ambassador 48 Hours to Leave Country

The military rulers who seized control in Niamey on July 26 have given the French ambassador 48 hours to leave Niger, the country’s minister of foreign affairs said in a statement yesterday.

Faced with “the refusal of the French ambassador in Niamey to respond to an invitation” from the minister for a meeting Friday and “other actions of the Frenchg overnment contrary to the interests of Niger”.

Thea uthorities have decided to withdraw their approval  of Sylvain Itte and ask him to depart within 48 hours, the statement said.

Niger has accused French forces of freeing captured “terrorists” and breaching a ban on the country’s airs space in an attempt to destabilize the country.