Qadaffy...whose instability has been an inspiration to dictators everywhere...
could be hiding in the western town of Ghadamis near the Algerian border.
Sounds credible. Within scootin' distance is his style.
The officials said Wednesday they also believe Qadaffy is under the protection of ethnic Tuaregs. The former leader once supported a Tuareg rebellion in northern Niger, and hundreds of former Tuareg rebels have fought for him.
National Transitional Council officials had previously suggested that Qadaffy was hiding in the town of Bani Walid, southeast of the capital, Tripoli, while other reports said he may be hiding in the south. He has not been seen since anti-Qadaffy forces seized Tripoli last month.
Intense fighting in the besieged Libyan city of Sirte has kept provisional government fighters from advancing in one of the few remaining strongholds of Qadaffy's supporters.
NTC forces say they have captured the city's port, but Qadaffy loyalists still control most of Sirte.