The race across the desert resumed on Monday in the Libyan town of Sabha.

The airlift was organised so that the drivers would not have to pass through parts of Niger close to the Algerian border, where the French Government had warned of possible terrorist attacks.

The cars, vans and motorcycles competing in the race are now expected to cover 1,600km (1,000 miles) before entering Egypt on Thursday for the final stages of the race.

Algerian Islamists are being blamed for the disruption, which cost several million dollars.

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The Niger Government reacted unhappily to the TSO decision, saying all necessary precautions had been taken.

Troubled history

The four cancelled legs would have involved racing across about 3,000km (2,000 miles) of desert terrain.

This year's event, which covers almost 11,000km (6,900 miles) in 17 stages, is confined to North Africa.

It was scheduled to run through Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Libya before ending in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on 23 January.

The rally has taken a regular toll of spectators, participants and reporters over its 22 years - at least 38 have died.

Last year, an armed gang in Mauritania robbed 52 competitors. As they drove away with eight vehicles, money and other valuables, the gang's leader waved, shouting: "See you next year!"

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