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U.S. urges Niger to detain Libyan officials in convoy

06 September 2011 22:36 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The U.S. government on Tuesday urged Niger to detain senior officials from the Gaddafi government who it believes crossed into the country in a convoy from Libya, the U.S. State Department said, APA reports quoting Reuters.

Niger officials informed the U.S. ambassador that the convoy carried "a dozen or more" senior members of Gaddafi’s government, but gave no indication that Gaddafi himself was among them, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.

"We have strongly urged the Nigerien officials to detain those members of the regime who may be subject to prosecution, to ensure that they confiscate any weapons that are found and to ensure that any state property of the government of Libya, money, jewels, etc., also be impounded so that it can be returned to the Libyan people," Nuland said.

She said the United States had also urged Niger to work with Libya’s ruling interim council to ensure that its interests are served in bringing the convoy’s passengers to justice.

"All of them would be subject to the U.N. travel ban which is why we’re working closely with the government of Niger," Nuland said, adding that the two governments had had "a very good conversation about what needs to happen to them."

"Our understanding is that they are going to take appropriate measures so that they can take the steps that are necessary and to work in the future with the (interim council) on what is to be done with both the people and the property," she said.