Another Qaddafi son flees, this time to Niger

Saadi Qaddafi arrived in Niger yesterday with a handful of former Libyan officials.

• The latest updates on Muammar Qaddafi and developments in Libya's war

Another of Muammar Qaddafi's sons has fled Libya.

A Nigerien official said that Saadi Qaddafi arrived in Niger Sunday, along with eight former Libyan officials, CNN reports. Niger accepted Saadi on a "humanitarian basis."

A convoy containing former Libyan officials and soldiers arrived in the country last week as well, while two of his sons sought refuge in Algeria, to Libya's west.

Rumors circulated last week that Mr. Qaddafi had fled for Niger, Libya's southern neighbor, but he rejected the claims, vowing never to leave Libya. Monitor reporter Scott Baldauf wrote last week that he has a solid relationship with his neighbors in the Sahel region, including Niger, and it's "entirely plausible" that Qaddafi could seek refuge there.

NATO air strikes have continued in the last few strongholds of Qaddafi loyalists, including Bani Walid, his hometown of Sirte, and Sabha in the south. Rebels are fighting loyalists in Bani Walid and Sirte but have yet to take full control.