Niger junta leader Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani has named a former finance minister as the new prime minister following the 26 July coup.

Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine replaces Mahamadou Ouhoumoudou, who was in Europe during the coup.

Mr Zeine, reported to be in his 50s, served as cabinet director and finance minister from 2001 until the overthrow of the late former President Mamadou Tandja by the army in 2010.

His appointment was announced in a statement read on the state-owned television channel Télé Sahel on Monday night by a junta spokesperson.

Mr Zeine has worked for the African Development Bank in Chad, Ivory Coast and Gabon in recent years, according to the privately-owned ActuNiger news website.

The junta on Monday also appointed Brig Gen Amadou Didilli as the head of the country’s High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP) and Brig Gen Abou Tague Mahamadou as the inspector general of the army and the national gendarmerie.

It named Col Ibro Amadou Bachirou the private chief of staff of the junta leader and Lt Col Habibou Assoumane as the commander of the presidential guard.

Source: BBC