Paris rejects rebels’ demand for French envoy to leave Niger

The rebels in Niger have no right to demand that the French ambassador leave the country, reads the statement of the French Foreign Ministry, Report informs referring to Agence France-Presse.

"France has taken note of the rebels' demand. The rebels have no right to put forward such a demand, the envoy is issued exclusively by the legal authorities of Niger," the ministry noted.

Earlier, the Al Hadath TV channel reported that rebel leaders demanded that the French ambassador in Niamey leave the country within 48 hours. According to the channel, the ambassador did not respond to a call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is under the control of the rebels, and refused to meet with representatives of the new authorities.