Niger reportedly allows U.S. surveillance drone deploymentJanuary 29, 2013 - 16:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Niger has given permission for U.S. surveillance drones to be stationed on its territory to improve intelligence on al-Qaida-linked Islamist fighters in northern Mali and the wider Sahara, a senior government source said, according to Reuters. The U.S. ambassador to Niger, Bisa Williams, made the request at a meeting on Monday, Jan 28, with President Mahamadou Issoufou, who immediately accepted it, the source said. "Niger has given the green light to accepting American surveillance drones on its soil to improve the collection of intelligence on Islamist movements," said the source, who asked not to be identified. The drones could be stationed in Niger's northern desert region of Agadez, which borders Mali, Algeria and Libya, the source said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |