Libyan presidential election: Haftar's force prevents legal recourse from Saif al-Islam Gaddafi

Forces loyal to Marshal Haftar, in the town of Sebha, located 660 km south of Tripoli, in February 2019. (Photo illustration) AFP

Text by: Mathieu Galtier Follow

2 min

Khalifa Haftar's armed force blocked the Sebha court in southern Libya on Thursday (November 25th) to prevent judges from ruling on Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's appeal.

The former dictator's son was excluded from the presidential race on Wednesday by the electoral commission after his death sentence by a Tripoli court in 2015.

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From our correspondent in Tunis

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A brigade affiliated with Khalifa Haftar's Libyan Arab National Army evacuated the Sebha court on Thursday afternoon.

Judges in the capital of southern Libya were to rule on the appeal launched by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.

The son of the former dictator disputes the rejection of his candidacy for the presidential election after his death sentence by a court in Tripoli in the summer of 2015. The House of Representatives of Tobruk had since amnestied the defendants, pleaded his lawyers. The Assembly was not recognized by the authorities in Tripoli, but was and remains recognized by the United Nations.

With this coup, Khalifa Haftar is launching a dual political and security message.

The former marshal, who wants to capture the voices of those disappointed with the revolution, refuses a candidate positioned on the same electorate.

By sending troops into Sebha, he shows that he is ready for the escalation of violence.

The Gaddadfa tribe, from which Saif al-Islam originates, is very present in the city.

It could try to dislodge Haftar's forces outside the court's perimeter. 

The other favorites are not unhappy to see Saif al-Islam leave the presidential equation.

The son of the ex-Guide was perceived by some voters, even in revolutionary strongholds, as the only figure who could succeed in reuniting the country.

In the cafes of Tripoli, the possibility of voting for Saif al-Islam is no longer a taboo. 

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• Libya

• Muammar Gaddafi

• Khalifa Haftar