'Leak' led to UN kidnap in Niger

Niamey, 09 Sept-(ANA)-A former UN special envoy to Niger who was kidnapped by al-Qaeda and held for four months has said he believes a high-level leak led to his abduction.

Robert Fowler, now a retired Canadian diplomat, told Canada's CBC he felt someone in the Niger government or even the UN "shopped" him to the militants.

He said only the Niger government and the UN knew his itinerary.

Mr Fowler and his aide were seized last December north-west of the capital, Niamey. They were released in April.

Niger and the UN have so far made no public comments on Mr Fowler's interview.

It remains unclear what led the kidnappers from al-Qaeda's North African wing to free the UN envoy and his guide Louis Guay, also a Canadian national.

The Canadian government has denied paying a ransom. (ANA)

FA/ANA/09 September 2009---