One of deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's sons, Saadi Gaddafi, on Monday arrived in Niger, a government spokesman said.

"Today, September 11, a patrol of the Nigerien armed forces intercepted a

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for last week's abduction of seven foreigners, including five French citizens in Niger, a media report said.