Gaddafi's son Saadi in Niger ‘on humanitarian grounds’

Niger's government spokesman and Justice Minister Marou Amadou has confirmed that Saadi Gaddafi was in a convoy along with eight others.

Amadou said the convoy was on its way to Agadez in northern Niger and that Saadi and his companions were being allowed in on humanitarian grounds.

The Niger government has recognised the NTC's authority, but said it had not yet decided whether it would allow Col Gaddafi to enter the country.

The US has urged Niger to detain any individuals who may be sought for prosecution by the new authorities in Tripoli and confiscate their weapons and money.

At the beginning of September, Saadi Gaddafi reportedly made contact with the interim authorities, offering to negotiate an end to fighting in Libya. Nothing came of the offer.

Saadi Gaddafi is a former footballer who had a very brief career in Italy, and he ran the Libyan Football Federation after being national team captain. Since retiring from football, he has become involved in the film industry, apparently investing $100 million (€73.7 million) in a film fund.

In the meantime, anti-Gaddafi troops resumed their attack on Bani Walid, supported by Nato air strikes. Officials say their forces are now within reach of the centre of the town.

Some of Gaddafi's family have fled to Algeria. Several convoys of former Gaddafi loyalists are also said to have streamed over Libya's southern border with Niger recently.