General declared election winner

NIAMEY - Niger's incumbent president and leader of its military government, Gen Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, yesterday was officially…

NIAMEY - Niger's incumbent president and leader of its military government, Gen Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, yesterday was officially declared the winner of elections held two weeks ago. The declaration was made by the supreme court, Niger radio reported.

Gen Mainassara, whose junta has been in power since he led a coup last January, won 52.22 per cent of the vote. Doubts had been expressed by the United States over the conduct of the elections. Defeated candidates have been kept under house arrest since the elections.