Russians sent to Niger airbase occupied by US troops

Russian troops have been deployed to an airbase in Niger where American soldiers are located, US officials say.

The move comes after Niger's military rulers ordered the US to withdraw troops who had been countering Islamic insurgents in the region.

Russian forces were present at the base in Niger's capital Niamey, but were not mingling with American troops, US officials told the Reuters news agency.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Russians posed no "risk" to US forces.

"The Russians are in a separate compound and don't have access to US forces or access to our equipment," Mr Austin told journalists in Honolulu, Hawaii.