Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PARIS (AP) - Niger's president is pushing for the creation of multinational African brigades _ notably with Libya _ to boost border security in lawless zones where jihadist fighters roam.
Mahamadou Issoufou says Niger is "no sanctuary for terrorists" but believes many jihadist fighters have taken refuge in the south of neighboring Libya after French forces ousted al-Qaida-linked militants from a teetering Mali earlier this year.
He says he fears Libya's government could collapse or that Islamic radicals might take control. Libya has been wracked by instability since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi more than two years ago.
Issoufou said Niger was ready to help set up "mixed brigades" with Libya.
He pressed the issue Friday as France welcomed dozens of leaders for a summit on African security.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
