A son of the late Libyan dictator Gaddafi wants to become the new leader of his country. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi (49) has registered as a presidential candidate, an employee of the electoral council said. The presidential election will take place on December 24.
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Saif is wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the 2011 uprising in Libya. He is the second son of Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled the oil-rich country on the Mediterranean for decades.
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Ten years ago, during the Arab Spring, a popular uprising broke out against his regime. Opponents of the dictator then received military aid from the West. Gaddafi tried to flee, but was overtaken and killed by rebels. Saif was imprisoned and served a sentence of more than five years.
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Civil War
After the fall of the Gaddafi regime, a power vacuum emerged in the country, which eventually led to civil war. Following international mediation, the situation in Libya has stabilized somewhat after years of struggle. A ceasefire has been signed and presidential elections are to be held next month.
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Images circulate on social media of Saif registering as a candidate in the southern city of Sebha. He signs documents there and said in front of a camera that “God will determine the right path for the future of the country”. Saif, 49, who holds a PhD from the London School of Economics, wore a traditional Libyan robe, a turban and glasses. It was the first time in years that he appeared in public.
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Controversial
The dictator’s son is one of the most famous figures to have run for election. It is still unclear how promising his candidacy is, as it is likely to lead to controversy in the divided country. He is likely to face heavy resistance from armed groups and militias, particularly in the capital Tripoli and the western city of Misrata, the AP news agency reported.
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Abdel-Rahman el-Swahili, a lawmaker from Misrata, has already opposed his candidacy, saying that Gaddafi’s son must be prosecuted, and cannot run for president. “Those who believe in the possibility of Libya returning to the era of dictatorship after all these sacrifices are in their heads,” he wrote on Facebook.
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A group of elders and militia leaders in the western city of Zawiya also rejected Saif al-Islam’s candidacy and warned of the return of civil war. They threatened in a statement to close polls if the elections were to take place this way.
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The election office last week began the registration process for the presidential candidates, which will run until November 22.
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