Niger has refused to extradite to Libya the son of slain dictator Moammar Gadhafi, saying Saadi Gadhafi risks death in the country his father ruled for four decades.
Niger government spokesman Marou Amadou told reporters Saturday that Niger would turn Gadhafi over to the International Criminal Court if the court requests.
Libya's ruling National Transitional Council called for the extradition after Gadhafi gave a telephone interview to Al-Arabiya television late Friday. He said an uprising is forming against the current government and that he could return to Libya "at any time."
Amadou said Saturday that Gadhafi's statements violate conditions under which he is being allowed to stay in Niger and added that the government does not support them. But he said Gadhafi could only be handed over to a government with an independent and impartial justice system.
Gadhafi and some of his allies fled to Niger in September of last year after the fall of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
The International Criminal Court has indicted another Gadhafi son for crimes against humanity, but has not taken action against Saadi Gadhafi, who is known mainly for his involvement with Libyan professional soccer.
