NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Libya's ambassador says his country's rebel administration wants Niger to stop giving refuge to former officials of ousted strongman Moammar Gadhafi's regime.
Ambassador Souleymane Ahmed Mohamed Moussa told The Associated Press Friday that Libya’s National Transitional Council is sending a delegation next week to ask Niger not to give them "political asylum."
He says some armed Gadhafi loyalists have escaped to Niger along the long, desert border the countries share, and that their weapons must be recuperated.
Niger officials say Gadhafi’s security chief, Mansour Dao, arrived there Tuesday along with 12 other Libyans.
Unconfirmed reports say Gadhafi’s army commander for southern Libya, Gen. Ali Kana, also escaped to Niger with an unknown number of troops.
