France said on Saturday it "firmly and resolutely" supports efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate Niger's elected president after a military coup.
"The future of Niger and the stability of the entire region are at stake," the French foreign ministry said in a statement on the eve of a deadline from ECOWAS, which says it is ready to intervene militarily if the president is not reinstated.
According to the ministry, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna made the remarks as she met with Niger's Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou and Niger's ambassador in Pairs.
(With input from agencies)