Tuareg rebels 'holding UN envoy'

Mr Fowler became the UN special envoy to Niger in July

The UN's special envoy to Niger has been abducted in the West African country by Tuareg rebels, according to a website representing them.

There has been no independent confirmation of the claim, although UN officials say he is missing.

Robert Fowler, a veteran Canadian diplomat, was travelling with another Canadian and a local driver, about 40km (25 miles) from the capital, Niamey.

Tuareg rebels have been engaged in armed struggles for several decades.

In a message posted on its website, the Front des Forces de Redressement (FFR) said it had taken Mr Fowler and three other people.

It said Mr Fowler was in good health and would soon be taken to a safe place.

Search under way

The diplomat's vehicle was found on Sunday evening with its engine still running, a UN spokesman said.

UN officials said Mr Fowler, who is based in Canada, was in Niger for meetings with officials.

But Niger's foreign ministry said in a statement that Mr Fowler was in the country on private business and had left Niamey on Sunday morning without informing the authorities.

Security forces were searching for Mr Fowler and his companions, the foreign ministry said.

The group visited the gold mining region of Samira before their disappearance, the ministry added.

The region is far from fighting in the north between the army and Tuareg rebels.

Mr Fowler retired from the Canadian foreign service two years after a long career that included postings as ambassador to Italy and the United Nations.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed Mr Fowler his special envoy to Niger in July.