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Niger president held by troops: military sources (Coup)
Reuters ^
| 18 Feb, 2010
| Abdoulaye Massalatchi
Posted on 02/18/2010 11:38:25 AM PST by Ben Mugged
Niger's President Mamadou Tandja was detained by mutinous troops on Thursday after a coup in the west African uranium exporter that left at least three soldiers dead, military sources said.
Three Nigerian military sources said the coup was led by a soldier named Major Adamou Harouna.
"The coup leader has succeeded. It is being led by Major Adamou Harouna," one source said. The president and the ministers are being detained not far from the presidential palace, the sources added.
Earlier in the day plumes of smoke were seen rising from the palace after soldiers attacked the building where Tandja was holding a meeting, sparking several hours of gunfire in the capital Niamey.
Political tensions have been high in Niger in recent months over Tandja's extension of his rule, which drew widespread criticism and international sanctions.
State radio, which had been broadcasting normally, began playing military music.
Witnesses said machine gun and heavy weapons fire erupted in the city at around 1200 GMT. Four hours later most shooting had eased.
Hospital sources said at least three soldiers were killed in the clashes. Earlier, a Reuters witness saw five injured soldiers at a hospital.
An intelligence officer, who asked not to be named, said the violence was a coup attempt that the presidential guard was trying to put down. A French diplomatic source called the incident a coup attempt but said the fighting was short-lived.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: 201002; 20100218; adamouharoun; adamouharouna; africa; china; coup; haroun; harouna; mamadoutandja; niger; nigerflap; tandja; uranium; uraniumyellowcake; wmds
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To: Ben Mugged
Although Niger is one of the poorest countries in Africa, it has about 8 percent of the world's uranium, and has had some lucrative uranium contracts, particularly with China. According to CNN.
2
posted on
02/18/2010 11:40:37 AM PST
by
Ben Mugged
(Unions are the storm troopers of socialism.)
To: Ben Mugged
Get ready for a new round of scam emails.
3
posted on
02/18/2010 11:41:51 AM PST
by
Roccus
(POLITICIAN.....................a four letter word spelled with ten letters.)
To: Ben Mugged
I wonder if Hillary is going to start revoking visas, and begin ‘insisting’ on the ‘return of...’
4
posted on
02/18/2010 11:42:55 AM PST
by
LibFreeUSA
(Show me what Obama brought that was new and there you will find things only blind and destructive.)
To: Roccus
5
posted on
02/18/2010 11:43:23 AM PST
by
Mr. Lucky
Comment #6 Removed by Moderator
To: Ben Mugged
Tensions have been rising in Niger recently. Tandja, who has been in office since December 1999, has recently been trying to force through a bid for a third term. Looks like another dictator foiled.
7
posted on
02/18/2010 11:45:23 AM PST
by
Ben Mugged
(Unions are the storm troopers of socialism.)
To: Mr. Lucky
8
posted on
02/18/2010 11:46:05 AM PST
by
Roccus
(POLITICIAN.....................a four letter word spelled with ten letters.)
To: Roccus
That’s Niger, not Nigeria.
9
posted on
02/18/2010 11:47:13 AM PST
by
A_Tradition_Continues
(formerly known as Politicalwit ...05/28/98 Class of '98)
To: Ben Mugged
Niger president held by troops: military sources
Ummmm..., I thought the "N-word" wasn't allowed... hmmmm....
10
posted on
02/18/2010 11:47:39 AM PST
by
Star Traveler
(Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
To: Star Traveler
Could that happen in America??????
huuuuumh
To: Star Traveler
“Niger president held by troops: military sources”
Is that where Obama’s from?
12
posted on
02/18/2010 11:50:49 AM PST
by
babygene
(Figures don't lie, but liars can figure...)
To: manonCANAL
You were asking ...
Could that happen in America??????
Yeah, as soon as we hit "Fourth World" status...
[ that's one step below Third World... doncha know... LOL...]
13
posted on
02/18/2010 11:52:49 AM PST
by
Star Traveler
(Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
To: babygene
You were asking ...
Is that where Obamas from?
Not sure... but I'm sure I don't want him here... :-)
14
posted on
02/18/2010 11:53:43 AM PST
by
Star Traveler
(Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
To: Ben Mugged
Now SOMEBODY is going to take advantage of that headline,good god,where do they get these PUTZ-ler prize winners?
15
posted on
02/18/2010 11:54:38 AM PST
by
nomad
Comment #16 Removed by Moderator
Comment #17 Removed by Moderator
Comment #18 Removed by Moderator
To: Ben Mugged
Is this news?
This is just a typical Thursday on that continent.
19
posted on
02/18/2010 12:00:53 PM PST
by
VanDeKoik
(Iran doesnt have a 2nd admendment. Ya see how that turned out?)
To: Ben Mugged
20
posted on
02/18/2010 12:00:55 PM PST
by
Elle Bee
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