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Niger Tuaregs 'to lay down arms' Niger rebels deny ceasefire claim
(about 2 hours later)
Tuareg rebels fighting the government in Niger say they are laying down their arms, as part of peace talks brokered by Libya. Tuareg rebels in Niger say they are willing to have peace talks with the government but have denied that they are ready to lay down their arms.
The announcement was made by the Tuareg rebel leader, Aghaly ag Alambo, following a meeting in Libya with the country's leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Tuareg spokesman Butali Tchewerein told the BBC the rebels would speak to the government anywhere outside Niger.
Mr Alambo said he was also speaking for Tuareg rebels in neighbouring Mali - they would disarm too, he said. Earlier, a government spokesman had said they had agreed to cease fighting after talks with Libya's leader.
The revolts by Tuareg nomads broke out last year in the two Saharan countries. Muammar Gaddafi has been leading peace efforts after Tuareg nomads revolted in Niger and Mali last year.
The government of Niger has welcomed Mr Alambo's statement and Libya's peacemaking efforts. Great autonomy
Following his meeting with Mr Gaddafi in southern Libya, Mr Alambo said he also spoke on behalf of the leader of the Tuareg rebellion in neighbouring Mali, Ibrahim Ag Bahanga. Mr Tchewerein of the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) described comments that the group was laying down its weapons as "a lie".
The Tuareg are a historically nomadic people living in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa. He told the BBC's Hausa service that the group was happy for Mr Gaddafi to continue as mediator and that it was willing to have face-to-face talks with the government of Niger.
"We never said we will not go into negotiations, but not inside Niger," Mr Tchewerein said.
"We don't like always carrying guns," he added.
The MNJ says it is fighting for greater autonomy and for a larger share of uranium revenue.
Tuareg militants in Mali and Niger have been engaged in sporadic armed struggles for several decades.Tuareg militants in Mali and Niger have been engaged in sporadic armed struggles for several decades.
But analysts are divided over whether the Tuareg revolts have been driven by genuine political grievances or efforts to defend control of drugs, arms and migrant-smuggling routes.But analysts are divided over whether the Tuareg revolts have been driven by genuine political grievances or efforts to defend control of drugs, arms and migrant-smuggling routes.
Mr Tchewerein said it was the government who made negative claims about the rebels.
"We are not bandits nor do we deal in drugs; that isn't part of what we do," he said.
Tuaregs are a historically nomadic people living in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa.