Abuja — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua observed yesterday that anything that disturbs the peace and stability of the neighbouring Niger Republic would also affect Nigeria.

Speaking while receiving the visiting Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Mr. Ali Badjo Gamatie, at the State House Abuja, President Yar'Adua noted that, "anything that disturbs the peace and stability of your country will concern us in Nigeria".

He added that Nigeria would continue to work with Niger and the ECOWAS Facilitator to ensure a speedy resolution of the situation in that country.

In an apparent reference to the brewing crisis in Niger Republic over plots by that country's president to amend the Constitution and go for a third term Yar'Adua said, "My brother, President Tandja, knows the ECOWAS Facilitator, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who has been endorsed by the African Union, and his commitment to peace. He will do his best for Niger, and we will support his efforts."

Earlier, Prime Minister Ali Badjo Gamatie had solicited President Yar'Adua's support to discharge "the position I have been given to bring all Nigerien people together. We are talking to all parties, so I need your support and help to succeed."

Also yesterday President Yar'Adua received letters of credence from three new ambassadors to Nigeria. They are Mr. Dionisios Sourvanos of Greece, Dr. Al Hassan Conteh of Liberia and Col. Mamman Addo of Togo.

He also received a special message from Libyan leader and current African Union chairman, Muammar Gaddafi.