We Signed Contracts With 'Legitimate' Gov't- France Responds To Orders From Niger Coup Leaders

The French government responded on Friday to the week-old military government in Niger's decision to revoke five military cooperation agreements with its former colony, saying it took note of the move but that the accords had been signed with the "legitimate authorities" in Niger.

The breaking of the deals was announced late on Thursday on national television by Amadou Abdramane, a spokeswoman for the coup plotters who deposed the democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum of the West African nation. He added that a diplomatic note will be sent to France to that effect.

Additionally, France 24 and RFI's international transmissions were stopped in Niger, which drew criticism from the French foreign ministry.

France's foreign ministry stated in a statement on Friday that only the international community and Paris recognize Bazoum's government as the legitimate government.