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Libyans divided over presidential bid by Gadhafi's son

With the backing of the tribes and communities who supported his father, Saif al-Islam could be bringing back the old regime with his run for president.
The son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi Saif al-Islam (R) sits with Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmudi (not seen) as they attend a ceremony to mark the arrival of water from the Great Manmade River (GMR) in the southern Libyan city of Ghiryan, 18 August 2007. The Great Manmade River is a huge network of pipes supplying water from under the Sahara desert to various cities and population centres in Libya. AFP PHOTO/ MAHMUD TURKIA (Photo credit should read MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images)

News that Moammar Gadhafi's most prominent son, Saif al-Islam, intends to run for president is raising fears and hopes that the old regime could return to power in Libya through the ballot box.

He could have a reasonable chance to win, especially now that Gen. Khalifa Hifter — the leader of the Libyan National Army who has hinted that he could run for president — was reportedly admitted to a hospital in Paris after suffering a stroke on April 11.

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