Conflicting reports on Gaddafi’s escape from Libya

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

THE Libyan dictator, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, is rumoured to have fled Libya, as rebel forces finalised plan to peacefully take control of Bani Walid, where he is believed to be hiding.

Bani Walid people had remained loyal to Gaddafi, after rebels took over control of government in Libya, while the rebel forces were to launch attack on Gaddafi without bloodshed, after a peace deal was struck earlier on Tuesday.

Gaddafi was believed to be in a convoy of about 200 vehicles carrying forces loyal to his government and was reported to have crossed into neighbouring Niger Republic on Tuesday.

The United States State Department confirmed on Tuesday that “military vehicles carrying a dozen or more senior military leaders from Gaddafi’s government are heading toward the capital, Niamey, after moving into Niger late on Monday.

“The capital is in the country’s south-western corner near Burkina Faso, where officials offered Gaddafi asylum about two weeks ago.”

Though the State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, who confirmed the development to the Voice of America (VOA), said “the US does not believe Gaddafi is in the convoy,” adding that there were unconfirmed reports that the Libyan dictator was among the group, thought to include his security chief, Mansour Daw.

Nuland said the US ambassador to Niger spoke to someone in the foreign ministry and believed the government of Niger would take appropriate measures to respond to the international community and work with Libya’s National Transitional Council.

She also urged the government of Niger to impound any property that belonged to the people of Libya.

-Tribunewp_posts