Relations between Libya and Niger are being threatened by Niamey's decision to give refuge to slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi's son and more than 30 other loyalists who fled when Tripoli fell to rebels in September 2011.

Libya has demanded the extradition of Saadi Gaddafi who is accused of plotting a rebellion in Libya to reclaim the country his father ruled for 42 years.

In a phone interview with al-Arabiya television, on Feb. 11, Saadi Gaddafi said he was in contact with the army, the militias, some National Transition Council officials, and other members of the Gaddafi family, and he wanted to return to Libya "at any minute" to lead a revolution.

"First of all, it is not going to be an uprising limited to some areas.

"It will cover all the regions of the Jamahiriya [Libya] land this uprising does exist and I am following and witnessing this as it grows bigger by the day," Saadi was quoted as saying.

Libya has demanded that the government of Niger hand over Gaddafi in order to "preserve Niger's relationship and interests" in the northern African country.

However, Niger says it could not hand over Saadi, because he would face execution in Libya.

Interpol last year issued a "red notice" requesting member states to arrest Saadi with a view to extradition if they found Saadi in their territory.

"We will hand over Saadi Gaddafi to a government which has an independent and impartial justice system," government spokesman Marou Amadou told a news conference. "But we cannot hand over someone to a place where he could face the death penalty or where he is not likely to have a trial worthy of the name," he added.

Libyan Foreign minister, Ashour Bin Hayal, would meet his Niger counterpart to discuss the issue.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has indicted Saadi's brother Saif al-Islam for crimes against humanity.

Saif al-Islam, once viewed as a likely successor to his father, is held by a militia in Libya, where he awaits trial on rape and murder charges.

However, the ICC has not indicted Saadi.