Gaddafi general 'flees to Niger'

A senior general in Libyan ex-leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces has fled to Niger, according to local sources.

Officials in the Niger town of Agadez named the commander as General Ali Kana, a Tuareg in charge of Col Gaddafi's southern troops.

Interpol has issued an arrest warrant for Col Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and spy chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, whose whereabouts are still unknown.

Gaddafi loyalists still fighting face an ultimatum to surrender on Saturday.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) has been trying to negotiate a peaceful resolution to stand-offs in a handful of areas - including Bani Walid, Jufra, Sabha and Col Gaddafi's birthplace of Sirte.

NTC forces last week warned loyalists that they must surrender by Saturday, or face a military onslaught.

The BBC's Richard Galpin, in the Bani Walid region, says there have been further clashes there ahead of the Saturday deadline, with Grad rockets being fired by pro-Gaddafi forces holding out in the town.