Exclusive: Niger denies arresting Al-Saadi

 Gadhafi’s son has been kept under surveillance while Libyan rebels have advanced towards Sabha city Nigerien authorities today confirmed that Al-Saadi, Gadhafi’s son has been kept under surveillance, but claims the Al-Saadi has not been detained. The statement came as the US claimed that Al-Saadi’s arrest was imminent.
US spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, claimed: “we knew from the Government of Niger that Al-Saadi is in Niger, and that Niger’s government intends to bring him to the capital Niamy to detain him.”
A Nigerien government spokesman said: “nothing has been changed regarding the government’s position. No warrant has been issued; like everyone else, Al-Saadi is just being kept under surveillance.”
Meanwhile, Libyan rebels have advanced towards Sabha city.
Rebel commander, Ezz Aldeen Muftah, who was a key figure in the capture of Alshowaref,  said that Sabha’s population has formed a local and a military council.
It was reported that key Gaddafi official, Al-Moutasem, had been seen in a Sabha neighborhood.
Another rebel commander told Arabstoday that he was awaiting orders to liberate Sirte.
Frontline commander, Ahmed Almagbery, told Arabstoday: “Rebels have advanced into central Sirte after taking control of Bwairat Alhasoun village.”
A statement by the Military Council in Misrata said that Gaddafi loyalists rebelled in Sirte killing four.
Rebels also said that 40 loyalists had been killed and 7 detained in the Bou Saada area, 40Km east of Sirte.
Almagbery claims that rebels also seized six loyalist SUVs in the clash.
The attack followed another unsuccessful attack by loyalists in Red Valley, with the loyalists sustaining dozens of fatalities.
Almagbery confirmed that Gaddafi loyalists had attacked the Ras Lanuf refinery, to prevent the export of oil.
Almagbery described the attack as “suicidal” as it required loyalists to travel from western Libya through the desert to Ras Lanuf.
Rebels have also arrested Gaddafi mercenaries carrying large amounts of money, weapons and explosives.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has accused both sides of the conflict of war crimes.
Amnesty said in the first days of the uprising against Kadhafi's rule groups of protesters killed a number of captured soldiers and suspected mercenaries.
 "Some were beaten to death, at least three were hanged, and others were shot dead after they had been captured or had surrendered, said the report, "The Battle for Libya -- Killings, Disappearances and Torture."
"The NTC is facing a difficult task of reining in opposition fighters and vigilante groups responsible for serious human rights abuses, including possible war crimes but has shown unwillingness to hold them accountable," it said.
But Amnesty acknowledged the atrocities allegedly committed by the now governing opposition were of a "smaller scale" than those carried out by Kadhafi's regime, which it says may be responsible for crimes against humanity.