Burkina Faso offers Gaddafi exile

Burkina Faso offers Gaddafi exile

Burkina Faso has offered Muammar Gaddafi exile but has also recognised the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libya's government.

Chad, another major aid recipient, also recognised the rebel council.

The African nations join a list of more than 40 countries which have recognised the rebels who have taken control of most of Libya and are now hunting the veteran leader.

Burkinabe Foreign Minister, Yipene Djibril Bassolet, said that Gaddafi could go into exile in his country even though it is a signatory of the International Criminal Court, which has charged him with crimes against humanity.

"In the name of peace, I think we will take, with our partners in the international community, whatever steps are necessary," Bassolet said, without giving any other details.

As recipients of large amounts of Gaddafi's largesse during his decades in power, the governments in Ouagadougou and N'Djamena had previously been hesitant about taking sides in the conflict.

Libya's rebels have often accused neighbouring Chad of backing Gaddafi by sending mercenaries to put down the uprising, a charge denied by N'Djamena.

But a council delegation was in Chad on Wednesday when Secretary General for Chad's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Moussa Dago, recognised its authority and called on it to protect Chadian interests in the country.

Burkina Faso, not a neighbour but previously a Gaddafi ally in sub Saharan Africa, also recognised the council as the only legitimate Libyan authority.

Gaddafi has said he is ready to fight to the death in Tripoli, although there have been a number of reports that he might seek refuge in an African nations.

REUTERS/Iheanacho