Niger's political opposition urged the West African country's new military junta today to hold elections as soon as possible and restore civilian rule after a coup ousted its dictatorial president.

A JUNTA that seized power in a coup in the west African nation of Niger named a platoon commander as its leader, hours after soldiers announced on state TV their group was in charge of the uranium-rich country.

The soldiers who seized power in Niger named an army colonel as their leader today hours after announcing on state TV that they were in charge of the country.