Niger rebels target power station

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Rebels in northern Niger have carried out a series of attacks around the town of Agadez, knocking out an electricity power station and fuel depot.

Two civilians were reportedly killed; the rebel Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) blames the army for the deaths.

The MNJ is demanding increased Tuareg representation in the government, security forces and mining industry since taking up arms in February.

But government has refused to talk to them, describing them as bandits.

Correspondents say the fuel depot in Agadez was used by the army and the power plant in Tchirozerine supplied uranium mines run by French nuclear company Areva.

"The MNJ would like to remind anyone who has forgotten that it can shut down factories in the north of the country and prevent them from extracting minerals," a statement on their website says.

During their military campaign, the MNJ has killed some 40 soldiers and taken a number of people hostage, including Chinese uranium workers.

The north of Niger is rich in uranium and the country is one of the world's top five uranium producers.

But it is one of the poorest countries in the world.