Moscow, Sep 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Saadi, one of the sons of ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has received asylum in Niger, the country's justice minister said.

Saadi, 38, the third of Gaddafi's seven sons, was expected to arrive in Niger capital Niamey later Monday, said Amadou Marou.

A patrol of Niger's armed forces intercepted a convoy in which one of Gaddafi's sons was found. However, the name of the son was not disclosed.

Many top officials of the Gaddafi regime have fled to neighbouring countries as Libyan rebel forces gained control over most of the territory, including the capital Tripoli.

Niger earlier said three top military officials of the Gaddafi regime, including the former chief of Air Force, Al-Rifi Ali al-Sharif, were on its territory.

Former internal security chief Mansour Daw also crossed into Niger and is currently being held under house arrest in a villa in Niamey.

The whereabouts of Muammar Gaddafi himself remain unknown. Niger has denied that Gaddafi was on its territory.

Interpol has issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi.