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.
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.
On March 19, Saif al-Islam announced through his lawyer that he plans to run as the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Libya, a political party with a stated mission to unify the country. However, many Libyans still don’t know what to make of his candidacy.
There are even rumors that Saif al-Islam could be dead. Since militias from the northwest city of Zintan ostensibly released him in June 2017, he hasn’t issued an announcement himself or made a public appearance.
