Son of former dictator Gaddafi candidate for president in Libya

Saif al-Islam, the second eldest son of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, has officially announced his candidacy for the country’s presidency today, an election commission executive told local media.

“Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has submitted his candidacy for the presidential election to the Supreme Electoral Commission in Sebha, southern Sebha,” said the commission’s vice-chairman Abdel Hakim al-Chaab to state broadcaster al-Rasmiya.

Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi was regarded as the best-known successor to his father, who was killed in October 2011 and who led Libya for 42 years. After being arrested that year, he was released in 2017.