(Adds details of release) NIAMEY, March 10 (Reuters) - Tuareg-led rebels in northern Niger released 25 hostages on Monday, including a local prefect, to mark the anniversary of their uprising. The released hostages were flown to the capital Niamey, in southwestern Niger, in a Libyan aircraft after the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) handed them over to representatives of the Libyan government. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has long been an advocate of autonomy for the nomadic Tuareg people of the Sahara. "It would be presumptuous to say this is the end of hostilities but perhaps this is a sign of a better tomorrow as President Mamadou Tandja has always said he is willing to talk to those who have taken up arms, provided they lay down their weapons," said Niger's Interior Minister Albade Abouba. Among those released on Monday was the local prefect of the town of Tanout, who was seized in January. At least six soldiers are still being held by the MNJ. Abouba encouraged Libya's government to work for the liberation of the remaining hostages. The MNJ has killed more than 50 soldiers since it launched its revolt in February 2007 to demand greater independence for the uranium-rich region of Agadez from the Black African government in Niamey. The MNJ, which has threatened an offensive against uranium industry targets, last year raided a French-operated mine. It accuses French President Nicolas Sarkozy of backing his Niger counterpart Mamadou Tandja. Niamey refuses to acknowledge the rebel group and blames the violence on banditry and drug trafficking. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Abdoulaye Massalatchi; editing by Daniel Flynn)
