Close aide defects

BENGHAZI, Libya - One of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi's closest aides, Ahmed Gadhaf al-Dam, said he had defected to Cairo in protest over the government's crackdown on protesters.

Gadhaf al-Dam, a cousin of Gadhafi, said in a statement that the crackdown has seen "grave violations to human rights and human and international laws". He said he left Libya to Egypt "in protest and to show disagreement".

Gadhaf al-Dam, who arrived in the Egyptian capital Cairo several days ago, is a member of the Libyan leader's inner circle, handling Libyan-Egyptian relations.