Saif Gaddafi and Gen. Haftar to contest Libyan Presidential election

Tripoli: – Rebel military official General Khalifa Haftar has announced that he will contest the presidential elections to be held in Libya in December. Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, the former dictator of Libya, also has announced his candidature for President. The Libyan government and media are accusing that there are many serious war crimes registered against both these leaders.

Muammar Gaddafi regime was ousted in Libya in the military conflict that followed the Arab Spring Movement. A coalition government was formed amid the violence that ensued. This Libyan government enjoys the support of the United States and the United Nations. Capital Tripoli and western parts of the country are under the control of this government.

But it is claimed that the popular opinion in Libya is in favour of General Khalifa Haftar. General Haftar is known as a bitter enemy of the current government in power in Libya. General Haftar, once a close confidant of Muammar Gaddafi, played a major role in overthrowing his government. Talks are rife that General Haftar will gain widespread support in the elections in December.

But now, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the former dictator, has joined the presidential race. Saif Gaddafi is said to have a fan following in Libya. Declaration of candidature by both Saif Gaddafi and General Haftar has posed major challenges in front of the joint government led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.