From Homeland Security NewsWire:
Libya update
Qaddafi family split over next move
Published 5 April 2011
Two of Gaddafi sons, Seif and Saadi -- Gaddafi has seven sons -- have floated the idea of having their father retire and for a transitional government to over see a transition to constitutional democracy; it is not clear whether Col. Gaddafi himself endorses the idea, but it is known that two other sons, Khamis and Mutuassim, who are considered hard-liners and who head their own militias, oppose the move; since the rebellion is fueled as much by tribal rivalry as by a desire for a more democratic Libya, rebel leaders were quick to announce that they were not interested in any solution which would include Gaddafi family members involved; on the ground, the low quality of the rebel forces and their lack of discipline and organization prevent them from exploiting the gains the coalition air strikes have made against Gaddafi's heavy weaponry
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the heir-apparent // Source: watoday.com.au
At least two sons of Col. Gaddafi are reportedly proposing a resolution to the ongoing Libyan conflict that would push their father aside to make way for a transition to a constitutional democracy, a diplomat and a Libyan official said Sunday.
Fox News reports that it is not immediately clear whether Gaddafi, 68, backs the proposal by his sons, Seif and Saadi al-Qaddafi, although one person close to the son told the New York Times that the father appeared willing to go along with the plan.
The proposal, however, ignores the tribal foundations of the anti-Gaddafi revolt, and rebel leaders were quick to make it clear that they were not interested. A representative of the rebels, Ali al-Essawi, the former Libyan ambassador to India, said on Monday in Rome that it was unacceptable to replace Qaddafi with one of his sons. “There’s no way to replace Qaddafi with a small Qaddafi,” he told the newspaper in an interview.
The New York Times reports that the proposal offers a new window in the dynamics of the Qaddafi family, as Gaddafi, who has seven sons, is now relying on his sons as trusted aides and military commanders following the defection of Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa and others.
The two sons “want to move toward change for the country” without their father, one person close to the Seif and Saadi camp told the Times Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
“They have hit so many brick walls with the old guard, and if they have the go-ahead, they will bring the country up quickly,” the source said.
One son, according to the Times’s source, has said many times that “the wishes of the rebellion were his own.”
The idea also touches on longstanding differences among his sons. While Seif and Saadi have leaned toward Western-style economic and political openings, Colonel Gaddafi’s sons Khamis and Mutuassim are considered hard-liners. Khamis leads a fearsome militia focused on repressing internal unrest. Mutuassim, a national security adviser who also commands his own militia, has been considered a rival to Seif in the competition to succeed their father. Saadi, who has drifted through careers as a professional soccer player, a military officer, and a businessman, firmly backs the plan, an associate said.
Libya update
Qaddafi family split over next move
Published 5 April 2011
Two of Gaddafi sons, Seif and Saadi -- Gaddafi has seven sons -- have floated the idea of having their father retire and for a transitional government to over see a transition to constitutional democracy; it is not clear whether Col. Gaddafi himself endorses the idea, but it is known that two other sons, Khamis and Mutuassim, who are considered hard-liners and who head their own militias, oppose the move; since the rebellion is fueled as much by tribal rivalry as by a desire for a more democratic Libya, rebel leaders were quick to announce that they were not interested in any solution which would include Gaddafi family members involved; on the ground, the low quality of the rebel forces and their lack of discipline and organization prevent them from exploiting the gains the coalition air strikes have made against Gaddafi's heavy weaponry
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the heir-apparent // Source: watoday.com.au
At least two sons of Col. Gaddafi are reportedly proposing a resolution to the ongoing Libyan conflict that would push their father aside to make way for a transition to a constitutional democracy, a diplomat and a Libyan official said Sunday.
Fox News reports that it is not immediately clear whether Gaddafi, 68, backs the proposal by his sons, Seif and Saadi al-Qaddafi, although one person close to the son told the New York Times that the father appeared willing to go along with the plan.
The proposal, however, ignores the tribal foundations of the anti-Gaddafi revolt, and rebel leaders were quick to make it clear that they were not interested. A representative of the rebels, Ali al-Essawi, the former Libyan ambassador to India, said on Monday in Rome that it was unacceptable to replace Qaddafi with one of his sons. “There’s no way to replace Qaddafi with a small Qaddafi,” he told the newspaper in an interview.
The New York Times reports that the proposal offers a new window in the dynamics of the Qaddafi family, as Gaddafi, who has seven sons, is now relying on his sons as trusted aides and military commanders following the defection of Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa and others.
The two sons “want to move toward change for the country” without their father, one person close to the Seif and Saadi camp told the Times Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.
“They have hit so many brick walls with the old guard, and if they have the go-ahead, they will bring the country up quickly,” the source said.
One son, according to the Times’s source, has said many times that “the wishes of the rebellion were his own.”
The idea also touches on longstanding differences among his sons. While Seif and Saadi have leaned toward Western-style economic and political openings, Colonel Gaddafi’s sons Khamis and Mutuassim are considered hard-liners. Khamis leads a fearsome militia focused on repressing internal unrest. Mutuassim, a national security adviser who also commands his own militia, has been considered a rival to Seif in the competition to succeed their father. Saadi, who has drifted through careers as a professional soccer player, a military officer, and a businessman, firmly backs the plan, an associate said.
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