Gadhafi Loyalists Flee in Convoy to Niger

Reports that a large convoy of Moammar Gadhafi's supporters have fled Libya for Niger has angered many in the Libyan capital.  Citizens want to see their former leader and those around him facing justice at home.

A convoy of some 200 armored vehicles is said to have crossed into Niger from southern Libya late Monday, possibly via Algeria.  As the reports spread, so, too, did speculation that some of the Gadhafi loyalists may be headed on to Burkina Faso, which has offered safe haven to the ousted leader.

Burkina Faso has straddled the line on events in Libya, recognizing the National Transitional Council, but also willing to flout its obligation to the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Gadhafi on war crimes. 

Gadhafi's whereabouts remained unknown Tuesday and early reports that he may have planned to join the convoy appear unfounded.  Late Monday, his spokesman Moussa Ibrahim, also on in hiding, said the former leader remained in Libya.

Officials in Niger are quoted as saying the convoy was smaller than reported, and insisted Gadhafi was not in it.

Libyans were quick to condemn any possible escape of their former leader or his supporters.  In Tripoli's central Martyrs' Square, Fawzi Jobran, an accountant, said Gadhafi and his inner circle must be held accountable.

"He must be in front of the Libyan people here.  It's not fair.  He must bring the mafia - those criminals - to stay here," said Jobran.

Nearby, Yusef, who did not give his last name, echoed that sentiment. "For the trial, I prefer, and I pray to Allah, it will be in Libya. Because in The Hague, there will be a lot of respect [for Gadhafi].  He will not feel suffering.  But in Libya, he will know how suffering we were," he said.

Several members of Gadhafi's immediate family have already taken refuge in neighboring Algeria.  The incident prompted anger from Libya's provisional authorities, as have the reports of the convoy to Niger.

The possible movement of key ex-officials out of Libya comes as the NTC grapples with taking control of the last remaining Gadhafi-held towns.  Forces loyal to the NTC continued to mass outside Bani Walid and Sirte Tuesday, giving his supporters until Saturday to lay down their arms or face an attack.  Negotiations with tribal representatives and Gadhafi supporters have been held on and off for days.

Bani Walid tribal leader Abdul Qader Ganyeh was optimistic a confrontation could be avoided. Ganyeh says 90 percent of the people in the town are for a peaceful solution, and "want to be part of Libya." 

The provisional leaders have also been making headway on other, practical matters.  Much of Tripoli now has running water again, the supply of electricity is becoming less sporadic, and the mood looking forward remains upbeat. 

Even Yusef, the man who wanted Mr. Gadhafi to suffer, showed his sense of humor was intact, riffing on the former leader's famous vow to hunt down rebels street by street, house by house, alleyway by alleyway. "We will build our country from street to street, from house to house, zenga zenga ['alley-to-alley'],  And this will take not a long time," he said.

But he adds, once more, he really wants Gadhafi found.