Washington is taking a neutral stance as a key West African bloc threatens to use force on Nigerien coup leaders if they fail to restore constitutional order, the US envoy to the UN said on Tuesday.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the US would leave the 15 countries in the Economic Community of West African States to gauge how best respond to the takeover.
“We have not expressed our support for taking any actions by Ecowas,” Ms Thomas-Greenfield told reporters.
"We leave that to Ecowas to decide how that institution, which is part of the region, will react to the situation on the ground."
Ecowas announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger on Sunday, and issued a one-week ultimatum to the junta in Niger to restore constitutional order or risk the possible use of force.
Ms Thomas-Greenfield said Washington supported the efforts of the regional bloc to find a resolution that would enable elected President Mohamed Bazoum to return to leading the African nation.
She is presiding over the UN Security Council for August and said she had personally contacted Mr Bazoum last Thursday, and that he sounded “good”.
“He was under house arrest in his home, with his family,” Ms Thomas-Greenfield said. "He did not sound distressed but I know that the situation he is in is currently quite stressful."
The new junta received support from the military governments of Mali and Burkina Faso, who warned that “any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war" against them too.
They said that the “disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger … could destabilise the entire region".
Leonardo Santos Simao, UN special representative for West Africa and the Sahel, said he hoped that the use of force would “not be necessary” but ultimately it was up to the regional bloc.
Mr Santos Simao is especially concerned that if the situation is not reversed, it is “very likely that the spread of terrorism” in the region will increase.
“But no one wants to see regional conflict happening,” he said.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Alita: Battle Angel
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson
Four stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
