| Libya: NTC Chairman Denies Khamis Capture, Warns Neighbouring Countries over Harbouring Pro-Gaddafi Criminals 25/02/2012 23:19:00 | ||
| “Libya will not forgive any state that provides safe heaven to pro-Gaddafi criminals and must immediately hand them over to face trial,” said the chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC) Mustafa Abdul Jalil at a press conference Saturday night in Tripoli.Jalil said there was no foreign intervention in al-Kufra and the conflict there, which has subsided, was a conflict between tribes. He called on all parities to reach reconciliation and that the government is in full control of the city.With regard to the pro-Gaddafi elements who are currently taking Ben Walid as a safe heaven, Jalil said the national army and security services are monitoring the situation closely.“We are now in dialogue with the elders of Ben Walid to surrender the pro-Gaddafi elements. If they failed to do so, force will be used to arrest them in the near future,” he confirmed.Answering a question about the capturing of Khamis Gaddafi, son of the former brutal dictator, Abdul Jalil denied that the brutal and ruthless former military officer was captured; saying that what was reported yesterday was based on rumours.The NTC chairman reassured the Libyan people that national security institutions and those of the revolutionaries are well positioned to face any security threats coming from outside or inside.He praised the expertise of the rebels’ security apparatus which he said have proven to be even more disciplined and efficient than those who were especially trained to carry security tasks.“The revolutionaries will hit pro-Gaddafi elements with an iron fist.Abdul Jalil cited the huge spontaneous celebrations on the first anniversary of 17 February 17 by the Libyan people as a proof that the greatest majority of the population feels being emancipated from the oppressive regime of the dead dictator.Abdul Jalil said the Libyan Attorney General has filed official extradition requests with documents indicating the crimes committed by pro-Gaddafi elements, to all neighbouring countries both African and Arab. These countries have not headed the call.“Bilateral relations with these countries will be based on how they handle the Libyan extradition requests and whether they hand over the pro-Gaddafi criminal elements,” Abdul Jalil stated.“Neighbouring countries must decide on extraditing these elements and/or restrict their movements,” as they pose a security threat to Libya, he added.Sources who declined to be named told The Tripoli Post Friday that Khamis was captured near the Tunisian borders in western Libya.However, Abdul Jalil told reporters that the news about Khamis’ capture were baseless and mere rumours.“Regarding what is going on in al-Kufra, it is a tribal conflict and there is no any evidence of any foreign intervention. I call upon all groups in the city to reconcile their differences on the basis that they are all brothers and that God forbids them from harming each other,” Jalil said.All the tribes who reside in Kufra should reconcile with each other and coexist, he added.He said the national army is in full control of the city and humanitarian assistance is being provided by the government. |
NTC Chairman Denies Khamis Capture, Warns Neighbouring Countries over Harbouring Pro-Gaddafi Criminals
Abdullah Al Asadi is a Libyan journalist and writer at TripoliPost, covering politics, society, and culture across Libya and the wider region. With a passion for independent storytelling and a commitment to accuracy, he brings readers in-depth reporting and thoughtful analysis on the issues shaping his country. He can be reached at abdullah.asadi@tripolipost.com
Leave a Comment
