Niger fears takeover by militants in neighbour Libya

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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/17/uk-libya-niger-idUKTRE76G0QH20110717

(Reuters) - Niger fears that Islamic militants could seize power in Libya as a result of the civil war in its northern neighbour, President Mahamadou Issoufou said late on Saturday.

Speaking on state television, Issoufou said Niger would not take sides in the conflict, unlike several other African nations which back the rebels, and insisted the only solution to the violence was through a negotiated political accord.

"Niger's interest is that this crisis does not result in fundamentalists taking power, that's our concern," said Issoufou, who won March elections which returned Niger to civilian rule after a year of military government.

"Niger's interest is that the crisis resolves itself, that it does not drag on and that the Libyan state does not go the same way as Somalia," he added. The Horn of Africa state is battling against al Shabaab rebels linked to al Qaeda.