Niger 'to detain son of Gaddafi'

The government of Niger has confirmed that it has intercepted and intends to detain Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saadi, the US State Department said.

"We have confirmed with the government of Niger that Saadi crossed over [and] that they are either in the process or have already brought him to the capital of Naimey and intend to detain him," spokesman Victoria Nuland said.

Earlier yesterday it was reported that Saadi was among 32 members of Gaddafi's inner circle to have arrived in Niger since September 2.

"A total of 32 people are now here, including one of [Gaddafi's] sons, Saadi, as well as three generals," Niger's prime minister, Brigi Rafini, said in Niamey.

The arrivals had crossed the border in four separate groups over the past 10 days and had been taken in by Niger for "humanitarian reasons", he added.

The most recent arrivals included Saadi and eight other close associates of the former Libyan strongman, said Rafini in comments aired on public radio.

Gaddafi, his most prominent son, Seif al-Islam, and his intelligence chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, are all wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.

But Rafini said none of those known to have crossed over the border were being sought by The Hague-based war crimes court.

• Gaddafi loyalists yesterday killed 17 guards outside an oil refinery in an apparent attempt to disrupt a drive by Libya's interim rulers to seize the ousted ruler's last bastions and revive the oil-based economy.

A Syrian-based TV station that broadcast messages from Gaddafi in the past said he was still in Libya, but it was unable to air a televised appearance for security reasons.