Fugitive former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday denied reports he has fled to Niger, while the remnants of his battered forces were pinned down by fighters of the regime that ousted him. As pockets of fighting continued, Libya’s new leadership and the United States called on neighbouring countries to close their borders to Gaddafi stalwarts. The ex-leader, whose whereabouts are unknown, remained defiant in his first address for several days, telling his countrymen: “They have nothing else to resort to apart from psychological warfare and lies.” Speaking by telephone on the Damascus-based Arrai Oruba television channel, he added: “They last said Gaddafi had been seen in a convoy heading towards Niger. “They want to weaken our morale. Do not waste time on this weak and ignoble enemy.” Gaddafi also said NATO, which has been carrying out daily air raids against his forces under a UN mandate since March 31, “will be defeated” as its “logistical capacities will not allow it” to press on with its campaign. “We are ready in Tripoli and everywhere to intensify attacks against the rats, the mercenaries, who are a pack of dogs,” he said. The NTC fears Gaddafi will try to slip over one of Libya’s borders, and Niger strongly denied he was in the country after a convoy carrying other senior ousted regime officials fled there on Monday. The US said Gaddafi was not believed to be among them.
