Conflict in Libya 2011: Is Gaddafi Heading to Burkina Faso Through Niger?

A Libyan armed convoy of vehicles, believed to be mainly made up of Tuareg tribesmen fighting for Muammar Gaddafi, has crossed into Niger, according to reports.

The convoy is thought to be in the town of Agadez and sources say the fugitive Libyan leader and his sons might be among the convoy, which was denied by his spokesman, who insist the colonel is still in Libya and has vowed to fight to death.

"He is in a place that will not be reached by those fractious groups, and he is in Libya," Moussa Ibrahim told Syrian-based Arrai TV.

Despite Ibrahim's claims, many say that with the National Transitional Council's forces now in control of Tripoli and focusing on Gaddafi's remaining forces in Sirte, Bani Walid and Sabha, the dictator might have fled.

Sources from France and Niger told Reuters the convoy, made up of 200 to 250 vehicles, arrived in Agadez Monday evening, escorted by the army of Niger, but AFP later reported its sources citing a convoy of only "several dozen vehicles,"

"I saw an exceptionally large and rare convoy of several dozen vehicles enter Agadez from Arlit... and go towards Niamey," the capital of Niger, a source told the AFP.

"There are persistent rumours that Gaddafi or one of his sons are travelling in the convoy," the source added.

Officials from the Gaddafi regime reportedly entered Niger Sunday, including the former leader's internal security chief Mansour Daw, who was previously thought to be in Bani Walid.

Many believed that Gaddafi could indeed be in the convoy as Niger's neighbour, Burkina Faso, has offered him asylum.