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GV aircraft taxiing on runway
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LV Chand President Felix Malloum and Niger President Seyni Kountche walking along red carpet
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GV flag
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SV Malloum and Kjountche walking towards airport building
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GV Airport building
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GV & CU Malloum, Kountche and Chad Prime Minister Hissene Habre standing listening to national anthems (FOUR SHOTS)
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GV Malloum, Kountche and Habre walking away
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SV INTERIOR Hebre, Malloum and Kountche seated talking
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GV Habre with newsmen
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According to Reuters news agency President Malloum claims that the present Frolinat leader, Goukouni Queddei, is a Libyan puppet who does not represent genuine northern thinking. But Reuters also say that this view is not supported by many people in north-east Chad, who say that Frolinat's demand that the north should be administered by northerners is wholeheartedly supported by all of them.




Initials KM/2130



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: On his way to Saudi Arabia President Seyni Kountche of Niger stopped over briefly in the Chad capital of N'djamena last week (3 January). During his visit he offered his best wishes to the people for prosperity and peace.

SYNOPSIS: As President Kountche's plane arrived Chad President Felix Malloum and his new Prime Minister, former Frolinat rebel Chief Hissene Habre, were waiting to greet him. Chad's military government was dissolved in August last year and replaced with a joint political commission pledged to work towards democracy and reconciliation with all opposition groups.

During his visit President Kountche said Niger would "participate in all that was happening in Chad". He added that the country had been through a period of agitation, but had recently taken a stop towards peace. He warned, however that this could only be achieved if all Chad citizens were reconciled, regardless of their origins or political persuasions.

President Kountche also had long talks with President Malloum and Monsieur Habre. Chad is one of the world's poorest nations and has been embroiled in a civil war between the central government and Libyan-backed rebels in the north for some time.