In an audio message aired by Syria's Arrai TV Thursday, Libya's Muammar Gaddafi denied that he had fled to Niger and claimed that NATO would be defeated.

Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi looks on during a news conference at the Quirinale palace in Rome in this June 10, 2009 file photo. [Xinhua]

"They have nothing else to resort to apart from psychological warfare and lies," Gaddafi told the TV station through a phone call.

The broadcaster said the phone call was made from inside Libya.

Referring to a Libyan convoy that arrived in Niger days ago, Gaddafi said that the motorcade, which led to the speculation that he was hiding in one of the convoy's cars, was "not the first" in and out of the neighboring country.

"They want to weaken our morale," he said to his supporters. "Do not waste time on this weak and ignoble enemy."

He also said that the Libyan youth was "now ready to escalate the resistance" against the rebels in Tripoli and "to finish off the mercenaries."

"We will defeat NATO ... and NATO is rejected by the Libyan people," he said, stressing that the alliance's "logistical capacities will not allow it" to forge ahead with the military intervention.

It was the former Libyan leader's first message in several days and his whereabouts remain a mystery. 

Niger has constantly denied the reports that Gaddafi was in the country. 

Earlier, Niger said it was considering how to deal with him if Gaddafi entered the country to seek refuge, BBC reported.

Niger would decide later whether to accept Gaddafi or hand him to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Nigerian foreign minister told the BBC.

Related

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• Gaddafi not in convoy crossed into Niger: Al-Arabiya
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