Interpol issues arrest warrant for Libya's Gaddafi

ICC prosecutor also issues warrants for Libyan leader's son, intelligence chief; Niger: We'll respect commitments to ICC if Gaddafi enters country.

By REUTERS
Gaddafi on state TV 311 (photo credit: REUTERS/Libyan TV)
Gaddafi on state TV 311
(photo credit: REUTERS/Libyan TV)
Interpol has issued arrest warrants for Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, it said in a statement on Friday.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor had made the request to the Lyon-based police organization on Thursday.
RELATED:Home video shows Gaddafi's private sideUS urges Niger to detain Libyan officials in convoy"As far as Interpol's general secretariat headquarters is concerned, Muammar Gaddafi is a fugitive whose country of nationality and the ICC want arrested and held accountable for the serious criminal charges that have been brought against him," said Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in June for all three for crimes against humanity.
ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said he wants Interpol to issue a red notice to arrest Muammar Gaddafi for the alleged crimes against humanity of murder and persecution.
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Click for full Jpost coverage of turmoil in the Middle East
Niger would respect its commitments to the ICC if Gaddafi or his sons entered the country, the head of President Mahamadou Issoufou's cabinet told Reuters on Friday.
"We are signatories of the Rome Statute (of the International Criminal Court), so they know what they are exposed to if they come. Niger is a country of rights but we will also respect our international commitments," cabinet director Massaoudou Hassoumi said.
Britain and other countries in the international coalition backing Libyan insurgents against Gaddafi have said this week they would expect any ICC signatory country to hand him over to the Hague-based court.