Niger warns against travel to Libya
Niamey, 27 Feb – (ANA) - Niger's government has warned its people that they could be targeted by roving militias if they travel to Libya, as tensions rise between the neighbouring countries over Niger's refusal to extradite Muammar Gaddafi's son Saadi.Two Nigeriens were killed and eleven injured on February 24 in Libya when their vehicle overturned during a car chase in the desert, the latest incident of apparent attacks on Niger immigrants in the country, the government said.
"The minister of foreign affairs ... and the minister of public security strongly discourage travel to Libya because of attacks by independent and uncontrolled militias," according to a foreign ministry statement read over the radio.
"Both departments recommend strongly to the Nigerien youth to refrain from the temptation of migration to Libya until the security and economic situation becomes more stable and reassuring," it added. Migrant workers from Niger, one of the world's poorest countries and which faces near-annual food shortages, have for years sought employment in oil-producing Libya, or a pathway to Europe along its Mediterranean shores. Libya's new government has pressed Niger to extradite Saadi, saying his call in an interview with Arab media on February 10 for Libyans to prepare for a "coming uprising" threatened bilateral ties. (ANA)
FA/ANA/27 February 2012----------