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Ahmadinejad Visits Uranium-Producing Niger

April 15, 2013

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad is due to arrive on April 15 in Niger, the world's fourth-largest uranium producer.

Niger is the second of three stops on Ahmadinejad's visit to West Africa, which also includes Benin and oil-producing Ghana.

Ahmadinejad has been seeking closer economic and diplomatic ties with Africa as Iran becomes increasingly isolated by international sanctions targeting its disputed nuclear program.

Earlier on April 15 in Benin, Ahmadinejad defended Iran's nuclear program, calling it peaceful and a "divine gift."

Last week, Tehran announced it had opened two more uranium mines.

Analysts say Iran may be close to exhausting its reserves of uranium and could be forced to seek out foreign sources of supply.

Ahmadinejad steps down in June after completing the second of a maximum two terms as president.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-ahmadinejad-visits-niger/24958278.html

Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.