AFP reports: Gaddafi loyalists who crossed into Niger are being detained, a US official said Wednesday, urging other nations in the region to deny refuge to any wanted Libyans.

None of those crossing into Niger earlier this week appeared to be on a list of persons subject to United Nations sanctions, said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

"Our understanding is that the convoy included some military and senior officials under Gaddafi's former regime," she said. "They are now being held in the capital... and they are being monitored closely by Nigerien officials."

Nuland said that based on information supplied by Niger to the US ambassador, the group included some 20 to 25 people and that reports of a massive convoy of 200 cars were "overblown."