Niger accepts foreign forces from Mali to combat jihadist threat

FILE PHOTO: Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum delivers a speech during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron following a video summit with leaders of G5 Sahel countries, at the Elysee presidential Palace in Paris, France July 9, 2021. Stephane de Sakutin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

DAKAR (Reuters) -Niger has accepted that French and European special forces will cross into its territory from neighbouring Mali to combat jihadists and try to secure the border with the West African state, Niger's president said on Twitter on Friday.

In his first comments since France said on Thursday that it would leave Mali along with its military allies, President Mohamed Bazoum said the forces would be able to respond to threats from jihadist militants groups in the area.