Algeria moves Gaddafi’s family to capital

Cairo, Sep 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Algerian authorities have decided to move the family members of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to the capital Algiers over safety concerns, Egyptian website Al-Ahram reported.

Gaddafi’s wife Safia, daughter Aisha, and two sons – Muhammad and Hannibal arrived in the Algerian southeastern border zone Aug 29.

Gaddafi’s family members will be under house arrest in Algiers, reports said.

They were taken to Algeria by a team of 35 former South African Special Forces operatives, who were paid $15,000 each for the operation, Johannesburg’s New Age newspaper reported.

The paper cited an unidentified person who was asked to take part in the mission, but he declined.

The rebel-led National Transitional Council (NTC) is demanding the extradition of Gaddafi’s family from Algeria.

Gaddafi’s daughter Aisha has given birth to a girl since arriving in Algeria. Media reports suggested her pregnancy was a major factor in the decision by the Algerian authorities to grant the group refuge.

–IANS/RIA Novosti
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