Libya conflict: Troop convoy crosses border into Niger

[Gerald]

An armed convoy of vehicles from Libya has crossed into Niger, reports say.

The convoy - believed to be carrying mainly Tuareg fighters recruited by fugitive Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi to fight for his regime - rolled into the town of Agadez.

It is not clear whether any of the Gaddafi family were in the convoy. His spokesman said he was still in Libya.

Col Gaddafi has vowed to fight to the death, even though he has lost control of most of the country.

'In high spirits'

The armed convoy crossed the Niger border and arrived in Agadez late on Monday, military sources from France and Niger told Reuters news agency.

They said the convoy was made up of between 200 and 250 vehicles and was given an escort by the army of Niger.

However, a local resident was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying that convoy consisted of more than a dozen trucks carrying well-armed Libyan troops.

He added that the Libyans were also accompanied by well-armed Tuareg tribal fighters.

The claims by both the military sources and the Niger resident have not been independently verified.

The BBC's Kevin Connolly, in the Libyan capital Tripoli, says there is speculation that the convoy could be carrying members of Col Gaddafi's entourage, as the desert route is the likeliest way for them to escape troops belonging to the anti-Gaddafi transitional authorities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14799075

Note: 6 September 2011 Last updated at 08:02 GMT

[papa_smurf]

Was NATO napping when this convoy was on the move?

[Gerald]

In all likelihood, I would say.

[Skybird]

NATO agreed a deal, I would say.

[Diopos]

It is basic NATO procedure to avoid collateral damage, so no bombing in the huge, empty and vast Sahara desert (only in urban terrain :hmmm:).

.

[Torplexed]

If he did escape, I think Gaddafi is getting too old to play the part of a latter-day Pol Pot and keep the struggle going from a neighboring country.

[Jimbuna]

NATO agreed a deal, I would say.

Possibly....but my guess is that the convoy was escorting members of his family to safety and he is intent on staying in Libya for the time being.

I would be amazed if he fights to the death mind you.

[Gerald]

Col Muammar Gaddafi's security chief is among several former Libyan officials who have arrived in the capital of Niger, Niamey, officials there say.

They say the man, Mansour Daw, entered the country on Sunday and travelled via the desert city of Agadez.

Meanwhile, a convoy said to be carrying dozens of heavily armed Gaddafi loyalists as well as gold and cash, is headed for Niger's capital.

Niger officials say Col Gaddafi is not believed to be travelling with it.

A senior rebel military commander said that he believed Col Gaddafi was still in Libya, but heading away from areas which have seen fighting.

"We have it from many sources that he's trying to go further south, towards Chad or Niger," Hisham Buhagiar said in an interview with Reuters news agency.

The former Libyan leader has vowed to fight to the death, even though he has lost control of most of the country.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14814388

Note: Update Record, 7 September 2011 Last updated at 00:44 GMT