Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of deposed former Libyan President Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, has stuck to his word by launching his presidential campaign from his hideout in Tunisia.
The self-exiled second son of Gaddafi launched his campaign on Monday as the flagbearer of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Libya (PFLL), the party’s spokesperson announced at a press conference in Tunis.
“Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has decided to run in the upcoming presidential elections and does not aspire to power in its traditional sense,” spokesman Ayman Abu Ras was quoted by Russian news media RT.
Saif announced his intentions last year after Libya’s election commission backed by the United Nations announced elections in 2018 and commenced voter registration. He promised to reestablish peace and stability in war-torn Libya.
His party’s spokesperson said Saif will soon announce his electoral plans and vision for Libya soon while he readies to register his candidacy when the registration process officially opens.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has gained a lot of support in Libya as the one who could change the state of the troubled country. He was released from prison in June last year after his arrest in 2011 during the NATO-backed uprising that brought an end to his father’s 42-year reign.
The 45-year-old was accused of murdering protesters in Tripoli during the final moments of his father’s reign. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity.
