Criminal court asks nations to prevent Saif Gaddafi from fleeing Libya

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has said his office has information that former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi may try to flee Libya with the help of mercenaries.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, in his statement to the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya, said the court is urging nations to help prevent Gaddafi's son from leaving Libya.

"We are also receiving information that a group of mercenaries may be endeavouring to facilitate his (Al-Islam Gaddafi) escape from Libya. We are calling upon States to do all they can to disrupt any such operation," Moreno-Ocampo said.

The court is conducting investigation into war crimes committed during the eight-month long conflict in Libya.

Moreno-Ocampo sought to assure the UN Security Council that allegations that members of NATO forces and Libya's interim leadership National Transitional Council also allegedly committed crimes during the uprising would be impartially looked into.

"There are allegations of crimes committed by NATO forces, allegations of crimes committed by NTC-related forces, including the alleged detention of civilians suspected to be mercenaries and the alleged killing of detained combatants, as well as allegations of additional crimes committed by pro-Gaddafi forces.

"These allegations will be examined impartially and independently by the Office," he said.

In June, the ICC had issued arrest warrants for the now deceased Gaddafi, his son and the country's intelligence chief Abdullah Al Sanoussi for their roles in attacks against protesters and rebels during the pro-democracy movement that rose up against the regime this year.