The prime minister of Guinea Bissau said Saturday that Libya's Muammar Gaddafi would be welcome in the west African country if he sought shelter there, according to news reaching here from Bissau, capital of Guinea Bissau.

Gaddafi deserved all the respect and good treatment of the Guinea Bissau government and people, Carlos Gomes Junior told the independent Radio Bombolom, adding that "he will be welcome if he needs refuge in our country."

Gaddafi's whereabouts remains unknown for the present. The ousted Libyan leader said last week that he had not fled to Niger and would fight to death in his country.