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NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — More high-level defectors from the army of ex-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi continued to cross the desert border into Niger, with officials confirming late Friday the arrival of four more officers.
Justice Minister Amadou Morou said at a press conference that the chief of staff of the air force as well as his pilot had arrived in Niger on Thursday night, as well as the commanders of two Libyan military regions. The minister said that, in addition, six civilians from Libya had also arrived. Morou declined to name the officers.
Morou also condemned an attempted attack on the Embassy of Niger in Tripoli on Wednesday night by a group of 20 armed men who tried to force their way in. He said the compound is now being offered protection by Libya's National Transitional Council.
Earlier on Friday, Libya's ambassador to Niger said his country's rebel administration wants Niger to stop giving refuge to fleeing officials. Ambassador Souleymane Ahmed Mohamed Moussa told The Associated Press that the NTC is sending a delegation next Thursday "to try to convince the Niger government not to grant political asylum to former officials of the Gadhafi regime."
The arrival of the four officers comes on the heels of the defection of Gadhafi's security chief, Mansour Dao, who arrived here Tuesday along with at least 12 others. Niger said it was allowing them to stay on humanitarian grounds, and that it was acting in consultation with the Libyan rebel administration.
Justice Minister Amadou Morou said at a press conference that the chief of staff of the air force as well as his pilot had arrived in Niger on Thursday night, as well as the commanders of two Libyan military regions. The minister said that, in addition, six civilians from Libya had also arrived. Morou declined to name the officers.
Morou also condemned an attempted attack on the Embassy of Niger in Tripoli on Wednesday night by a group of 20 armed men who tried to force their way in. He said the compound is now being offered protection by Libya's National Transitional Council.
Earlier on Friday, Libya's ambassador to Niger said his country's rebel administration wants Niger to stop giving refuge to fleeing officials. Ambassador Souleymane Ahmed Mohamed Moussa told The Associated Press that the NTC is sending a delegation next Thursday "to try to convince the Niger government not to grant political asylum to former officials of the Gadhafi regime."
The arrival of the four officers comes on the heels of the defection of Gadhafi's security chief, Mansour Dao, who arrived here Tuesday along with at least 12 others. Niger said it was allowing them to stay on humanitarian grounds, and that it was acting in consultation with the Libyan rebel administration.