Africa News

Libya tells Niger to hand over Gaddafi's son

Feb 11, 2012, 14:53 GMT

Tripoli - Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) Saturday asked Niger to hand over Al-Saadi Gaddafi, the son of slain leader Moamer Gaddafi, after he said in a television interview that an uprising was imminent in the country.

The NTC said in a statement that Niger had to hand over Al-Saadi Gaddafi and other fugitives 'at the earliest possible time to preserve its relations and interests with the Libyan people.'

Al-Saadi, who took refuge in Niger in September, told broadcaster Al Arabiya late Friday that an 'uprising is growing every day' in Libya.

'I have contacts almost on a daily basis with many Libyan groups. Many of them are still working with us,' Al-Saadi, a businessman and former footballer, added.

'The Libyan people are being ruled by gangs. The people must eliminate militias,' he said, referring to recent clashes among rival insurgents who were once united in a revolt against his father's regime.

Niger said in September it would not extradite Al-Saadi to Libya over fears that he would be killed without trial.

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