Reuters - The likely flight of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi from Libya to neighbouring Niger leaves the West African nation trying to balance its commitment to the International Criminal Court with avoiding another rebellion by heavily armed Tuareg tribesmen.
After the killing of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya itself risks tribal violence, insurgency and chaos unless Tripoli’s new government disarms regional militias and eases the grievances bottled up during 42 years of one-man rule.
Thought to be on the run somewhere in the mountains on Libya’s southern borders with Algeria and Niger, Saif al-Islam, 39, is desperately seeking to avoid the fate of his father, who was beaten, abused and shot as forces of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) captured him on Oct. 20 after the fall of his home town Sirte.
Saif al-Islam’s surrender to the ICC would help restore the image of the NATO-backed campaign to overthrow Gaddafi which was tarnished in the eyes of some in the West by film of the former strongman humiliated, killed and put on public display.
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