Landmine kills 4 military police in northern Niger

NIAMEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) A landmine laid by Tuareg-led rebels in northern Niger killed four military police officers today near the ancient Saharan trading town of Agadez, the West African country's government said.

The rebel Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) launched an uprising in the impoverished desert region, home to some of the world's largest uranium reserves, in February to demand a fairer share in its mineral wealth and more development assistance.

''A gendarmerie vehicle hit a mine planted by elements of the so-called MNJ while it was travelling back from a training ground 13 km from Agadez,'' the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

''Four people were killed and three seriously injured.'' President Mamadou Tandja's government does not recognise the rebel movement, dismissing them as drug smugglers and bandits, but the repeated acts of violence have turned the north into a military zone, off limits to foreigners without an army escort.

The former French colony has awarded dozens of prospecting permits in the north to mining companies from China, India, Canada, Britain and France and the government has repeatedly said that it is in control of the region.

The latest incident brings to at least 44 the number of soldiers and military police killed by the MNJ since it launched its campaign in February.

Reuters CS VP0250