LIBYA: Political power struggle amid rumors of Kadafi family feud

Recent developments in Libya suggest the political power struggle between moderates and the country's conservative old guard is back in full swing -- a spat some speculators trace to a rift in the inner circle of leader Moammar Kadafi's family. 

In one of the first signs incidating that something might be underway on the political front in the secluded North African republic was when the board of the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Organization (GICDO) demoted the reform-minded Saif al Islam Kadafi, son of the leader -- to an honorary position.

GICDO also announced around the same time that it was withdrawing from politics and that it no longer would promote human rights in Libya -- a move fueling speculation among analysts of the nation that conservative forces are pushing the country's moderates to the sidelines and that reformist hopes for Libya might be dwindling.

"Whether Saif was forced out or withdrew voluntarily, he has had to acknowledge that his work came up against insuperable obstacles in the form of the old guard surrounding his father. ... At least for now  Libyans have lost one of their few avenues to pursue human rights improvements and political reform," wrote Ronald Bruce St John, an author of seven books on Libya, in a recent commentary for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.  

The younger Kadafi has never held any formal political power. But he has played a key role in improving Libya's ties with the West in recent years and has become a vocal critic of conservative hardliners in the government. Some of his calls for economic and political liberalization have not gone down well with some conservatives.

And there seem to be more twists to the drama. According to media reports, several of Saif al Islam Kadafi's conservative opponents are believed to be closely backed by his two brothers -- Mutassim, a national security adviser, and Khamis, a high-ranking military leader.

The rumors about alleged cracks inside the Kadafi family and brawls between the brothers over their differing political visions are apparently so widespread that the younger Kadafi went out to deny such speculations in a rare public statement.

"Several press reports have suggested that I’ve been involved in a power struggle with my brothers behind the scenes in Libya," Saif al Islam was quoted as saying in an address posted on GICDO's website. "There is nothing of the sort.  I have an excellent relationship with my family."

The rising tensions between moderates and hardliners in Libya have been noticeable in recent months. In November, 20 journalists working for media outlets run by the Al Ghad publishing company, a media group closely affiliated with the younger Kadafi,  were detained by Libyan security forces.

The reason for their detainment was not immediately clear. Press-freedom group Reporters Without Borders said in a statement at the time that the arrested journalists had called for the return of opposition figures. They were later ordered release by the elder Kadafi.

In his statement denying the rumored family feud, Saif al Islam Kadafi apparently also felt compelled to set the record straight about his links to Al Ghad. He denied that he owned the media group, emphasizing that he was "merely a supporter" and nothing else.

The publishing company was in the news again earlier this week when a Libyan news agency that is part of Al Ghad published a rare article criticizing the Libyan army. 

The piece, reportedly written by the political editor of Libya Press, claimed the Libyan army was doing a bad job and said civilians should lead the defense ministry.

"The armed forces have taken over thousands of acres of land that were needlessly transformed into camps and barracks and later became sources of wealth for many," the Reuters news agency quoted it as saying.

Aside from accusing the army of inefficiency, the piece also described some senior military officers as corrupt.

It' was a daring piece by Libyan standards. Aside from the apparent escalating power struggle between moderates and the old guard, media reports have surfaced about protests being staged in several Libyan cities in the past week over corruption and lack of government-subsidized housing.

-- Alexandra Sandels in Beirut

Photos, from top: Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi's reformist-minded son Saif al Islam Kadafi has publicly denied that he is involved in a family feud with his conservative brothers amid escalations in the power struggle between the country's moderates and the old guard surrounding the elder Kadafi. Credit: Getty Images. Libya's long-ruling leader Moammar Kadafi. Credit: Reuters

Comments

[swallow37]

How could Saif be described as reform-minded, and an advocate of human rights when he was reared and nurtured by a family, headed by his father, Muamar Gaddafi, one of the most brutal dictators? I remind you of an old and well tested proverb: The apple never falls far away from the tree. The tree, in this case (the Gaddafi family) that bore saif is rotten to the core, and should be uprooted from the core, as Ben Ali of Tunisia was. Libya will never prosper as long as it remains in the clutches of the Gaddafi family.

[MissMarple]

Fortunately, Martin Shulav, nobody listens to crazy people like you.

[Wispa Jones]

How long will the people of Libya put up with this family? Will the protests over the border in Tunisia affect any changes? I am a British teacher working and living in Tripoli, Libya, and am watching closely for any signs of dissent.

While there have been a few small protests, it seems unlikely that anything major is going to happen here. On the other hand, around 20% if Libya's population is aged between 15-24, and many - highly educated - people find themselves without employment, or working menial jobs.

For more information, please read my blog: http://wispajones.blogspot.com/

[libyanOne]

Kaddafi the usurper and his clan are mafia types who surround themselves with lackeys and sycophants who help keep them in power. Any person who values decency and justice wouldn't support the cult of Kaddafi as they have murdered, raped, pillaged and mismanaged their country and will do anything to keep themselves in power.

Rest assured, Kaddafi is getting older and his sons are all vying for the control of the kingdom of Libya or to be as near to the throne as possible.

There is a whirlwind coming, one can appreciate the power of the whirlwind or be destroyed by it. The tribe of Kaddafi and their associates will likely find themselves bereft of power and finally face justice for the sins they have committed for the last forty plus years.

[foadmassmoudi]

protests being staged in several Libyan cities in the past week over government-subsidized housing.was just a trick made by gaddafi regime to pay the attention of libyans away from the Tunisian events and to absorb the anger of libyans towards the oppressive and dictator regime
Gaddafi is smuggling arms into Tunisia these days in a trial to get the ousted president back to power because he is afraid of the transition of what happened in Tunisia to Libya .....in fact that will happen sooner or later to this wierd one-man rule in libya ..what happened there will spread and Libya will be liberated

[themainman]

This is nothing other than a smear peice. This is an attempt by opponents of the Libyan government to foment problems in Libya. Libya is a peaceful, prosperous, developing nation, and everyone needs to butt out of their internal affairs. I am American, but can tell you that Libyans are some of the nicest people on the face of the earth.

[Martin Shulav]

Moammer gaddafi, dictator of Libya is nothing but a Mossad stooge. He was recruited by Bruno Kreisky, and Armand Hammer, by orders from Iser Harel. They reached him through his origins. You see Gaddafi was born in Haret Al Yahood (quarter of the Jews in Bingasi)despite the mythology surrounding his early history. He was later handled for a short time by Martin Schlaff. He is a mere puppet, dances to the tunes of his masters.

[O. Lamlum]

We'd all like to vote for the best man, but he's never a candidate. ~Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard