France to withdraw troops and ambassador from Niger - USNEWS2

President Emmanuel Macron has said France will withdraw its ambassador and end all military co-operation with Niger following a coup.

The military junta which seized power in Niger in July welcomed the move.

The decision by Paris follows months of animosity and protests against the French presence in its former colony, with regular demonstrations in the capital Niamey.

The move deals a hammer blow to France's operations against jihadists in the wider Sahel region and Paris' influence there. But Mr Macron said France would "not be held hostage by the putschists”