Econintersect: The Financial Times reports in the early am hours on August 22 that Libyan dictator Muammer Gaddafi and his family members have been offered safe passage out of the country by rebels who appeared to have seized control of the capitol city of Tripoli. However, it has been reported that two Gaddafi sons were in rebel hands, one possibly having turned himself over to the insurgents. The Telegraph has identified one of the captured sons as Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, Muammer’s eldest. Saif (pictured) was very influential in his father’s regime and was responsible with much of Libya’s contact with the West.Here are some details from the Financial Times:
…amid celebrations in Tripoli and the rebel capital of Benghazi, Col Gaddafi maintained a defiant posture until the end. In an audio message on state TV, he called on all Muslims and Libyan tribes to march on the city to prevent themselves becoming servants to imperialists and traitors.
Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the Benghazi-based rebel council, told Al Jazeera television that the leader’s son had been captured, saying he had ordered that he be treated well “so that he can face trial”.
At least one other son has also either handed himself in or been arrested while rebel forces said they were surrounding members of the ruler’s inner circle who have been instrumental in maintaining the defence of his regime.
Sunday afternoon Reuters reported President Obama issued a statement that it appeared Gaddafi’s regime was showing signs of collapse and that the U.S. continued to support the rebels. Obama urged Gaddafi to relinquish power to avoid further bloodshed.
Sources: Financial Times, The Telegraph and Reuters
