Another of Gaddafi's sons crosses border into Niger

Niger, Sept 12 (ANI): Another son of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has reportedly crossed the border to take refuge in neighbouring Niger.

A Nigerian government spokesman has confirmed that 37-year-old Saadi Gaddafi, a former footballer in Italy, has also fled.

The fugitive dictator's son, who apparently arrived in Niger with nine other people, is one of the most high-profile figures to have left Libya, the Daily Mail quoted Justice Minister Amadou Morou, as saying.

"I wish to announce that one of Gaddafi's sons - Saadi Gaddafi - was intercepted in the north of Niger by a patrol of the Nigerian military," Morou said.

He said Saadi 'has no status at all' in Niger, indicating that he has not been granted refugee status, which would guarantee him certain rights.

Saadi, who is Gaddafi's third son, became popular across the world in 2003 after joining Italian club Perugia, where he played only one match before failing a drug test. He was also captain of the Libya national football team, captain of his home club in Tripoli, and president of the Libyan Football Federation. (ANI)