Niger asks Nigeria to return mutineers

Niger has asked the authorities in neighbouring Nigeria to send back about 100 mutinous soldiers who fled across the border after the failure of a rebellion.

It is believed many of the renegades were part of a rebel contingent which mutinied last week in the south-eastern town of Diffa.

Niger's army has staged several coups

In New York, the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has expressed concern at developments in Niger, condemning the use of force to redress grievances.

The mutineers say their action was prompted by pay arrears and poor employment conditions.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Democratic forces, a party allied to the Niger Government, has called for the imposition of martial law to ensure calm.

Media controls

Loyalist troops are now seeking to capture the mutineers' last stronghold at Ngourti, 1,600 km (1,000 miles) east of the capital, Niamey.

On Monday, the mutiny spread to soldiers based in Niamey but this was quickly put down.

The Niger Government responded to the unrest in the army by tightening controls on the media.

President Mamadou Tandja issued a decree cautioning the media against publishing information which could threaten national security.

Newspapers violating the decree face suspension or closure; journalists face being considered an accomplice to the mutiny.

Niger's army has staged several coups but not since President Mamadou Tandja was elected in 1999.