20100606
Reuters

Niger, a northwest African country ruled by a military junta, has signed a judicial cooperation deal with Libya, where 12 of its citizens await execution, the junta said at the weekend.

Under the agreement the two desert states, Libya exporting oil and Niger uranium, will help each other gather evidence from those accused, witnesses and experts.

"The council of ministers has examined and approved by decree a judicial convention covering criminal law between Niger and Libya," said a statement broadcast on national television.

Niger hopes its citizens who have been convicted and sentenced to death in Libya will be spared execution.

"Our foreign minister is working on the matter, and I am sure we will find a solution, because human life is sacred," said Morou Amadou, president of Niger's national consultative council.

The council is working with the junta on organising the country's transition to civilian government, which Niger's military rulers have said they want to be complete by next February, a year after they ousted then President Mamadou Tandja, though they have not set an election date.