New Libyan Interim Leader Arrives in Tripoli (UPDATED)
Sep 10th, 2011 | 2 responses
UPDATE:
The BBC reports that Saadi Qaddafi, one of Col. Qaddafi’s sons has arrived in neighboring Niger:
Niger’s government spokesman and Justice Minister Marou Amadou said Saadi Gaddafi was in a convoy along with eight others. Mr Amadou said the convoy was on its way to Agadez in northern Niger and that Saadi and his companions were being allowed in on humanitarian grounds.
Col. Qaddafi’s whereabouts are still unknown. According to the BBC, he has said that he will die in Libya.
While the Niger government has recognized both the National Transitional Council and the International Criminal Court, which is seeking the arrest of Qaddafi, “it had not yet decided whether it would allow Col Gaddafi to enter the country.”
Read more here.
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While there has been neither “sight nor hair” of Muammar_Gaddafi, or Moammar Gadhafi, or Muammar el-Qaddafi, or Muammar Al Qaddafi, or even Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi, or just plain Col. Qaddafi (or Gaddafi), despite an extensive local and international manhunt, there has been sight for the first time in Tripoli of Libya’s new interim leader.
According to the BBC, the head of Libya’s interim government, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, has flown to Tripoli for the first time since anti-Gaddafi forces captured the capital. He was greeted “by hundreds of cheering, flag-waving supporters.”
While Mr. Abdul Jalil has been running the interim administration from the eastern city of Benghazi, the BBC claims “his presence in the capital is aimed at sending a message about his authority.” The IMF has also recognized Jalil’s National Transitional Council (NTC) as the new government of Libya.
Jalil now faces the daunting task of stabilizing the country and forming an effective national administration.
In the meantime, the hunt for Qaddafi, or Gaddafi, or… continues, concentrating on—among others—the loyalist-held town of Bani Walid.
But Qaddafi’s fighters have been putting up fierce resistance in Bani Walid, one of four towns they still control and which had until today to surrender to the interim government.
Read more here.
Photo of Mr. Mustafa Abdul Jalil: Courtesy BBC
2 Responses to “New Libyan Interim Leader Arrives in Tripoli (UPDATED)”
Bani Walid is besieged. It would appear that it’s occupants are trapped. I hope that the combatants will respect the innocent and allow the ICRC to remove them before the slaughter. Has NATO suggested this, have they ever suggested it? Don’t seem to be any media reports one way or the other.
The map would suggest a Kaddafi controlled corridor from the south to the sea. Several loyalist convoys crossing into Libya from Niger would suggest an escape rout for the Kaddafi command has been established.
You’re right on possible escape routes, Allen.
Three of the four remaining loyalist strongholds (Sirte, Jufra and Sabha)provide escape routes to the south, to Chad and Niger, although Chad has now recognized the NTC and Niger has recently become somewhat of a democracy and recognizes the ICC.
Sirte also provides immediate access to the sea as does–a little farther from it–Bani Walid. But I am sure NATO is watching the Mediterranean along Libya like a hawk.