April 13, 1999
Web posted at: 7:46 AM EDT (1146 GMT)

NIAMEY, Niger (Reuters) -- Niger's prime minister has been reappointed to the post by the military junta that seized power on Friday, according to the junta spokesman.

Captain Djibrila Hamidou said on state radio late on Monday that the reappointment of Ibrahim Assane Mayaki was decreed by the country's new strong man, Squadron Leader Daouda Malam Wanke.

Mayaki is to form a government of national unity to take the country through a transitional period until elections are held in around nine months time.

The army said on Sunday that all state institutions, including parliament and the government, had been dissolved. A national reconciliation council was formed by military personnel and assumed temporary control of the country.

The official statement also said that the suspension of activities by political parties had been lifted.

Mayaki was first appointed prime minister in November 1997 by President Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, who was gunned down by presidential guard members on Friday.

On Monday, Niger's 11 opposition parties urged their followers to support the junta's promised transition program.

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