Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam holding 'informal, indirect' talks with ICC

Tripoli, Oct 29 (ANI): Slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam is negotiating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hand himself in, its chief prosecutor has said.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Saif was holding "informal", indirect conversations with the court in Hague where he faces charges of crimes against humanity.

"There are informal conversations. I think they are exploring the possibility to appear before the court," Moreno-Ocampo said.

"[We have said] we can help you to surrender to the court, and if he considers himself innocent, he has the right to present his evidence to the court," he added.

But he also said that a group of African mercenaries were offering to fly the 39-year-old fugitive to a haven in a country that does not recognise the court, The Telegraph reports.

Moreno-Ocampo said the ICC had evidence Saif was "critically important in organising the killing of civilians" as he and his father attempted to quell the February 17 revolution.

He said the ICC would not make "a deal" in return for surrender, but said "the conversation is about how to appear before the judges and how we present the evidence".

According to rebel sources, Saif has concluded the ICC is his only hope of safety after ruling out taking refuge in a neighbouring country.

Moreno-Ocampo, however, said a band of mercenaries were now offering refuge in an African nation.

"We have learnt through informal channels that there is a group of mercenaries who are offering to move Saif to an African [country] not party to the Rome Statute of the ICC," the paper quoted him, as saying.

"The Office of the Prosecutor is also exploring the possibility to intercept any plane within the air space of a state party in order to make an arrest," he added. (ANI)