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Niger opens Tuareg rebels talks Niger and rebels 'agree to peace'
(about 6 hours later)
The government of Niger has opened ground-breaking talks in Libya's capital, Tripoli, with Tuareg rebels of the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ). The government of Niger and Tuareg rebels of the Movement of Niger People for Justice (MNJ) have agreed to end hostilities, according to reports.
Niger has previously refused to negotiate with the rebels, whom it labelled as bandits and drug-smugglers. Libyan state news agency Jana said two days of talks in Tripoli ended with both sides committing themselves to "total and comprehensive peace".
Niger is being represented by the Interior Minister Albedi Abouba. There has been no confirmation from the Niger government but a rebel website said everyone supported reconciliation.
The talks follow last month's visit to Niger by the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, and the release by the rebels of some government troops. The rebels are seeking a greater share of the region's uranium resources.
Both sides opened the discussions by telling Col Gaddafi they were committed to peace in the West African state, Libya's official Jana news agency reported on Tuesday. In the past Niger said it would never negotiate with the rebels, whom it labelled as bandits, but last month the Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi visited Niger to help broker a deal.
Uranium revenues Rebels also released some government troops.
"Everyone present spoke of their serious commitment and will to reach a peace deal," Niger's interior minister was quoted as saying. Government representatives and rebel leaders declared peace in the presence of Col Gaddafi, the current chairman of the African Union, Jana reported.
"Two days of talks ... were crowned by an announcement in front of the brother leader of the revolution and African Union chairman that they commit themselves to keep up total and comprehensive peace in Niger," the report said.
Everyone present spoke of their serious commitment and will to reach a peace deal Niger Interior Minister Albedi Abouba
One of the three Tuareg rebel groups, the Niger Patriotic Front (FPN), said in a statement on its website that "all the delegations spoke in favour of peace and national reconciliation".
"All those taking part in this mission now have the historic responsibility to overcome their differences and realise these commitments, which must now be transformed into a formal peace agreement," the statement said.
Both sides had opened the discussions by telling Col Gaddafi they were committed to peace in the West African state, Jana reported.
"Everyone present spoke of their serious commitment and will to reach a peace deal," Niger's Interior Minister Albedi Abouba was quoted as saying.
Aghali Alambo, leader of the MNJ, spoke of the "commitment of his group and other groups for a definitive peace in Niger," Jana reported.Aghali Alambo, leader of the MNJ, spoke of the "commitment of his group and other groups for a definitive peace in Niger," Jana reported.
Uranium revenues
The BBC's Idy Baraou in Niger says the country's main rebel group wants a greater share of revenues from the uranium mines in the north of the former French colony.The BBC's Idy Baraou in Niger says the country's main rebel group wants a greater share of revenues from the uranium mines in the north of the former French colony.
The movement also wants the expanding mines to be curtailed so they do not encroach on agricultural areas, already under threat from increased desertification.The movement also wants the expanding mines to be curtailed so they do not encroach on agricultural areas, already under threat from increased desertification.
The Tuaregs, a historically nomadic people living in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa, have had militant groups in Mali and Niger engaged in sporadic armed struggles for several decades.The Tuaregs, a historically nomadic people living in the Sahara and Sahel regions of North Africa, have had militant groups in Mali and Niger engaged in sporadic armed struggles for several decades.
In neighbouring Mali, hundreds of Tuareg rebels laid down their arms in February, breathing new life into a stalled peace process.In neighbouring Mali, hundreds of Tuareg rebels laid down their arms in February, breathing new life into a stalled peace process.