Four Frenchmen kidnapped in Niger

Four French expatriates, working in Niger, were abducted Sunday by people suspected to be members of the Movement of Nigeriens for Justic e (MNJ), the Touareg rebellion front, operating in the country’s northern region, the interior ministry announced. In a communiqué, the ministry said the government was making efforts to secure t he release of the Frenchmen who work for the Areva company which exploits uraniu m mines in Arlit, northern Niger. Niger is the world’s third largest producer of uranium and the Areva company has been operating in Niger for more than 40 years.