The son of Libya’s former strongman Muammar Gaddafi has made an official bid to run for president when the country goes to the polls on December 24, 2021.
Footage of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi appeared on Sunday apparently registering with the national electoral commission to contest the Libyan presidency.
It would be the first direct election to choose the Libya’s next leader in more than three generations.
Donning traditional Libyan attire, Saif is seen sitting in front of a poster as he register himself as a candidate.
Looking into a camera, Saif who was his father’s favourite successor for the country’s leadership quotes Quranic verses, imploring Libyans “in the name of truth” to judge who was the best among the presidential contenders.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was accused over his role in the killing of protesters during the Libyan uprising which eventually overthrew his father in 2011.
Under the custody of a militia for six years, he was tried, and sentenced to death before it was later overturned.
49-year old Saif lives in opulent splendour in the northwestern town of Zintan.
He is still seen as a divisive figure in Libyan politics and his bid to run for the presidency may further complicate Libya’s electoral dilemma as a country struggling to shake off years of internal strife.
There are fears that the ongoing instability in the country which has lasted for ten years after Muammar Gaddafi was killed could undermine the poll’s credibility.
Many rights campaigners “do not trust the political climate as conducive to holding a free and fair election”.
WN/as/APA