UPDATE 2-Red Cross hands freed French hostages to Niger govt

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By Abdoulaye Massaslatchi

NIAMEY, June 26 (Reuters) - The Red Cross handed over on Thursday four French hostages freed by Niger rebels to the West African country's authorities in the northern town of Agadez.

The Red Cross took charge of the French nationals, who work for nuclear group Areva (CEPFi.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), along with a Niger citizen on Wednesday when they were freed by the Tuareg-led rebel Niger Justice Movement (MNJ) after three days in captivity.

"The ICRC ... has taken the five civilians safely to Agadez, where they have been received by Niger's authorities," the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regional office in Senegal said in a statement.

"They are in good health," said a source close to the case, who asked not to be identified.

"They should be very shortly taken to (Niger's capital) Niamey for some debriefing and possibly for medical examination," a military source told Reuters.

The MNJ has said it seized the four French nationals to disprove the Niger government's assurances that it would guarantee the safety of foreign investors in Niger's growing mining industry.

The MNJ, led by nomadic Tuareg tribesmen, wants greater autonomy for the northern region and a larger share of revenues from the uranium being mined there by the French company.