Suicide Bomb Attacks In North-West Niger Kill Dozens

<p>NIAMEY, NIGER (BNO NEWS) -- Dozens of people were killed after two suicide bomb attacks in north-west Niger, local authorities said.

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<p>The first bomb attack occurred at a barracks in Agadez that killed at least 19, including 18 soldiers. The second blast targeted the French-operated Somair uranium mine in Arlit, which killed one person and injured 14. However, media outlets said that combined, at least 25 people were killed in both explosions, according to Nigerien officials.

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<p>The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the two suicide bombings, reiterating the UN's support to the efforts of the Government of Niger and other countries in the Sahel region to combat "the scourge of terrorism and transnational crime."

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<p>In a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson, the Secretary General, said the UN has been in close collaboration with the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States.

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<p>Ban also stressed the need for the international community to continue to strengthen its cooperation to address these serious threats to the stability of the sub-region and beyond.

</p> <p> (Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].) </p>