MSF forced out of northern Niger

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The humanitarian organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has been forced out of the Agadez area of northern Niger after a series of car hijackings.

MSF told the BBC that the attacks convinced them it was no longer safe.

The six-member team was about to notify the authorities of its intention to leave when the governor requested the group suspend all its activities there.

The region has seen sporadic violence by Tuareg rebel fighters who complain of marginalisation by the government.

The aid agency had launched a healthcare programme in Dabaga, in the district of Air, about 50km north of Agadez, where it said access to medical supplies had been cut off by fighting.

The attack on MSF staff took place on Monday on the road between Agadez and Dabaga.

The team's two vehicles and their contents were stolen by a gunman and four other men.

A similar incident occurred on the same road last week.

The organisation is continuing its activities in the Maradi region of southern Niger, where MSF has been working since 2001.