France to start evacuating citizens from Niger on Tuesday following coup

PARIS, Aug 1 (MENA) - The French foreign ministry said that France will start to evacuate its nationals from Niger on Tuesday, following a military coup that has unleashed protests against the former colonial power, France 24 reported.

The French Foreign Ministry cited recent violence that targeted the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for the decision.

The closure of Niger’s airspace also "leaves our compatriots unable to leave the country by their own means," the ministry said.

Earlier, junta-led Burkina Faso and Mali warned that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered a "declaration of war" against their two countries.