Al-Saadi Gaddafi granted asylum in Niger

Al-Saadi Gaddafi has been offered asylum in Niger as the authorities there believe that no one from the Gaddafi family would be safe if returned to Libya.

President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger has issued a statement confirming that Al-Saadi Gaddafi, 38, third son of slain Libyan leader Col. Gaddafi, has been offered asylum in Niger on humanitairan grounds. According to the Guardian Issoufou said "We have agreed on granting asylum to Saadi Gaddafi for humanitarian reasons."In addition to Saadi, other Libyans who took refuge with him in Niger have been given leave to stay as refugees, with Issoufou saying "But we have told them very clearly they cannot engage in political or subversive activities."In September Saadi Gaddafi was added to Interpol's most wanted list at the behest of Libya's National Transitional Council. According to the Telegraph a source close to President Issoufou said "We are a democracy and we have seen how Gaddafi and his son were murdered. It would not be safe to send any members of the family there." A South African diplomat also clarified that Saadi did not enter Niger empty handed, saying "Saadi doesn't go to Niger as a beggar either, he has probably taken a lot of money with him." In October Saadi's Ontarian bodyguard revealed how a team of mercenaries had escorted Saadi into Niger.