Gaddafi’s son to run for president of Libya as December elections loom

CAIRO — Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, lad of Libya’s erstwhile ruler Moammar Gaddafi, filed paperwork Sunday to tally for Libyan president, adding to an progressively tense dynamic up of elections presently scheduled for Dec. 24.

Gaddafi’s father, a notorious dictator who ruled Libya with an robust fist, was captured and killed successful October 2011 aft 8 months of uprising against his decades-long authorities during the Arab Spring. The International Criminal Court issued an apprehension warrant for the younger Gaddafi the aforesaid year, citing 2 counts of crimes against humanity.

The younger Gaddafi was ne'er extradited to look the charges. He was held by rebel forces for respective years aft his begetter died and since his merchandise has remained mostly retired of the nationalist eye, adjacent arsenic Libya fell into chaos successful the decennary aft the extremity of his father’s rule.

On Sunday, successful the confederate municipality of Sabha, helium registered arsenic a campaigner successful the country’s upcoming predetermination — a process that has spurred wariness among galore Libyans and observers but that overseas powers importune is indispensable successful bid to stabilize the state aft years of war.

Hanan Salah, Libya researcher for Human Rights Watch, said the determination showed the deficiency of regularisation of instrumentality successful Libya. “In my view, the adjacent constabulary serviceman successful Sabha should beryllium arresting him,” Salah said.

Yet Gaddafi’s signing of the requisite paperwork made for a reasonably unremarkable scene.

Footage shows him dressed successful a brownish turban and robe, with glasses and a beard, calmly signing his sanction connected documents astatine the guidance of predetermination officials.

Although not wholly unexpected, Gaddafi officially putting his sanction successful for the statesmanlike elections adds a caller dynamic to the already fraught electoral period.

“The timing couldn’t beryllium much sensitive,” Salah said.

The beingness of equipped groups and mercenaries remain rife passim the country. Khalifa Hifter, who leads the Libyan National Army successful the country’s eastbound and received backing from Russian mercenaries, is besides expected to formally denote a bid for the presidency.

Observers person expressed uncertainty that the elections volition beryllium escaped and fair. Still, the planetary assemblage is pushing for them to instrumentality spot arsenic planned.

Leaders from respective countries including Libya and the United States attended a league successful Paris past week and threatened to authorisation immoderate parties that interfere successful the elections.

Concerns implicit the quality for these elections to beryllium escaped and just person “completely been brushed speech and it’s go this obsession with Dec. 24 which is simply a wholly random date,” Salah said.