Son of ex-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi confirmed dead in western Libya armed attack
Tripoli, February 4
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was reportedly killed on Tuesday in an armed attack in western Libya, Xinhua reported, citing a statement from his political team.
According to Xinhua, Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, a member of Gaddafi's team, announced the incident on Facebook, stating that four masked gunmen stormed Gaddafi's residence in the city of Zintan at noon.
The attackers allegedly disabled surveillance cameras before a "direct armed confrontation" took place, leading to Saif al-Islam's death.
The political team has urged the Libyan judiciary and the international community to investigate the attack, identify the perpetrators, and hold accountable those who "masterminded" the operation.
Authorities in Tripoli and Zintan have not yet officially confirmed the details of the incident, Xinhua reported.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi had remained a prominent and polarising figure in Libya since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ended his father's rule.
Further details awaited.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The cycle of violence continues. First the father, now the son. When will it end? No matter what someone's past is, extra-judicial killings set a dangerous precedent. The international community must step in for a proper investigation.
Honestly, reading about such instability in other regions makes me appreciate our strong democratic institutions even more. Can't imagine this happening here with our robust security and legal system. 🙏
The report says authorities haven't confirmed it yet. We should be careful about jumping to conclusions based on social media posts, even from his team. More verification is needed.
This is what happens when foreign powers topple a government without a plan for the day after. NATO created this vacuum in 2011, and Libya has been paying the price ever since. A cautionary tale for any nation.
So sad for his family. Violence begets violence. No one wins in these situations. Hope Libya finds peace soon. The focus should be on rebuilding the nation, not settling old scores.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.