- NIAMEY, Niger: A Niger rebel leader who became a member of Muammar Qaddafi’s inner circle says three of Qaddafi’s generals who arrived overnight in Niger’s capital are seeking refugee status for members of the toppled ruler’s regime.
If Niger grants the request, the West African nation would be defying the new Libyan government, which wants regime loyalists to be turned over.
Rebel leader Aghaly Alambo said Tuesday in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press that the three include Gen. Ali Kana, as well as the country’s air force chief and the commander of Murzuq. Alambo, who like Kana is an ethnic Tuareg, is part of the negotiations. The Tuaregs in Niger as well as in neighboring Mali are pushing the government to give them asylum.