In recent days, Libya has been rocked by the tragic and controversial killing of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, stirring deep emotions among the populace and reigniting discussions about the country’s tumultuous journey since 2011. As thousands gathered to pay their respects at his funeral in Bani Walid, the event underscored the ongoing divisions within Libyan society and the complex legacy of the Gaddafi era. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Libya as it strives for stability amidst lingering political rifts.
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the prominent son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was shot dead earlier this week. The burial occurred on Friday in Bani Walid, located approximately 175 kilometers (110 miles) south of Tripoli, drawing a substantial crowd of loyalists who continued to honor Gaddafi’s legacy almost 15 years after the elder Gaddafi was deposed and killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.
Saif al-Islam was killed on Tuesday in his home in Zintan, in what his office described as a “direct confrontation” with four unidentified gunmen who forcibly entered his residence. Following the event, Libya’s attorney general revealed that investigators and forensic experts examined the 53-year-old’s body, confirming he died from multiple gunshot wounds and that the investigation into the suspects is underway.
One mourner, Waad Ibrahim, 33, traveled from Sirte to join the memorial, expressing a profound sense of loss. “We are here to accompany our beloved one, the son of our leader in whom we placed our hope and our future,” she reflected, capturing the sentiments of many in the crowd.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi had served as the de facto prime minister during his father’s four-decade rule, cultivating an image of a modern reformer despite lacking an official title. He played a critical role in advocating for Libya’s abandonment of its weapons of mass destruction and was involved in negotiating reparations for the families affected by the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988.
However, his reputation notably diminished following his infamous declaration of “rivers of blood” in response to the 2011 uprising, leading to international condemnation and a subsequent arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. Despite this, he had announced his candidacy for president in 2021; however, elections aimed at unifying the nation under a United Nations agreement were postponed indefinitely.
Today, Libya remains embroiled in internal divisions, with power split between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s UN-backed government in the west and Khalifa Haftar’s administration in the east. The killing of Saif al-Islam, viewed by some as a potential alternative to the existing power struggles, comes just days after a meeting in France’s Elysee Palace that included Haftar’s son and advisors to Dbeibah, highlighting the complex political ramifications that continue to develop within Libya.
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