Niger: Mamadou Tandja and MNJ rebels meet

The President of Niger, Mamadou Tanja, Sunday met with representatives of three rebel factions in Agadez, north of Niger. At the meeting, the first in two years, Mamadou Tandja promised amnesty to the rebels if they laid down their arms. The Niger president had also invited the rebel leaders to the inauguration of an uranium mine in Imouraren (to be operated by the french group Areva) which he is to preside on Monday.