Saif al-Islam Gaddafi: son of Libya Former ruler running for president
The son of Libya's late ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will register as a candidate for the country's first direct presidential election next month. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was once his father's successor, but his support for the brutal suppression of protesters tarnished his image ten years ago.
After the 2011 uprising, Libya was hit by the conflict. World powers and the UN Secretary-General have warned that anyone who tries to prevent this or change the outcome could face sanctions. Bearded and dressed in traditional Libyan attire, he turned to the camera and quoted a verse from the Koran that translates to "judge between our people in truth and us."
"God always rules in his endeavors," he also said, citing another chapter in the Muslim holy book and adding from another passage, "even if the disbelievers hate him." This is a very different picture from the one he presented before the 2011 uprising that toppled his father.
He was held for six years and sentenced to death, which was later overturned.Gaddafi is still wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes but has gradually resurfaced in public, including an interview with the New York Times earlier this year from his home in Zintan [paid wall].
"Farewell, but not surprising."
Gaddafi's return has sharply divided views on Libya, says Amira Fathala of BBC Monitoring. However, his candidacy for leadership is no big surprise as he has been referred to as a contender for years. Memories in Libya may still be too difficult to win the presidency, says Sebastian Usher, the Middle East editor. His candidacy will further complicate an already fragile electoral process.
After years of civil war and rival powers in the east and west of the country, Libya is now led by a transitional government but remains politically unstable. Disagreements between Libya's political bodies and opposing factions over election rules and plans undermined the presidential election.
Other candidates running are military leader Khalifa Haftar, who previously led an uprising against the UN-backed government in Tripoli from its eastern base, and Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeyba and Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh.