Libya: NTC demands Niger stop Gaddafi crossing border

Libyas new leaders were urgently seeking Nigers help in preventing Moammer Gaddafi, his family or his troops from crossing the border, as the hunt for the fugitive strongman intensified.The United States also urged other nations to deny refuge to any wanted Libyans.New regime forces, meanwhile, were poised to battle loyalist troops still holding out in their remaining strongholds of Bani Walid, southeast of Tripoli, Sabha in the south and the coastal city of Sirte, Gaddafis hometown.In the run-up to a transfer of the government in waiting once the final holdouts have fallen, National Transitional Council (NTC) number two Mahmud Jibril arrived in Tripoli, acting deputy information minister Khaled Najm said.However, an NTC spokesman in Benghazi said that the new authorities would not complete their transfer to the traditional capital until Libya was fully liberated.We still have work to do here in Benghazi, said Fathi Baja, head of the NTCs political affairs committee.Meanwhile, Gaddafis sole remaining media mouthpiece, Mishan al-Juburi, owner of the Syria-based Arrai Oruba television, said the defeated leader and his son Seif al-Islam were still in Libya.I can tell you that I spoke with Gaddafi very recently, Juburi said.He is in Libya, in very good spirits, feels strong, is not afraid, and would be happy to die fighting against the occupiers, Juburi, a former Iraqi MP, said by telephone.His son Seif al-Islam is in the same state of mind, added Juburi, whose channel has broadcast a number of audio messages from the Gaddafis since Tripoli was overrun by rebel fighters last month.Libyas new rulers are anxious to arrest Gaddafi and put him on trial, sealing their hold on the country.They are fearful he may slip into a neighbouring state, particularly Niger, to which a convoy carrying other senior ousted regime officials fled on Monday.Bidding to cut off Gaddafis potential escape routes, the NTC said it had dispatched a team to Niamey.