TRIPOLI ? �Libyan rebels are demanding that Algeria return Muammar Qaddafi's wife and three of his children for trial after they fled, raising tensions between the neighboring countries.
Algeria's decision to host members of the Qaddafi clan is an "aggressive act against the Libyan people's wish," said Mahmoud Shammam, information minister in the rebels' interim government.
Safiya Qaddafi, her daughter Aisha and sons Hannibal and Mohammed entered Algeria on Monday, while Qaddafi and several other sons remain at large. In Washington, the Obama administration said it had no indication that Qaddafi himself has left the country.
Rebels also said Qaddafi son Khamis, was likely killed last week in a battle south of Tripoli, rebels said.
"We are determined to arrest and try the whole Qaddafi family, including Qaddafi himself," Shammam said late Monday night. "We'd like to see those people coming back to Libya."
Rebel leaders said they were not surprised to hear Algeria welcomed Qaddafi's family.
Throughout Libya's six-month uprising, rebels have accused Algeria of providing Qaddafi with mercenaries to repress the revolt.
The departure of Qaddafi's family was one of the strongest signs yet that the longtime leader has lost his grip on the country.
Qaddafi's children played important roles in the country's military and economic life. Hannibal headed the maritime transport company; Mohammed the national Olympic committee. Aisha, a lawyer, helped in the defense of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in the trial that led to his hanging.
Rebels worry that if Qaddafi is not killed captured, it will stoke more violence.
Rebel fighters are converging on Qaddafi's hometown of Sirte, his last major bastion of support in largely rebel-controlled Libya, amid speculation the longtime Libyan leader might be hiding there.
Sirte, some 250 miles east of Tripoli, is heavily militarized and shows no signs yet of surrendering even though rebels say they are trying to negotiate a bloodless takeover.
A NATO officer, who asked not to be identified because of alliance rules, said on Monday there was fighting 30 miles east of Sirte. He said there are still clashes around Sirte, Bani Walid south of Misrata and Sebha further south. Entrances to Sirte are reportedly mined.
In Tripoli, rebel leaders trying to set up a new government struggled with widespread shortages of water and fuel. In one neighborhood in the capital, dozens of motorists broke into a gas station Monday and filled plastic contains with fuel. Long lines formed at other gas stations.
Some residents filled containers with drinking water from large trucks, while others relied on wells. One of the water truck drivers, Ramzi Abu Shabaan, said the shortages were a small price to pay.
"I don't care if we go without water for two months even -- frizz-head is gone -- it's worth it," using a commonly used derogatory nickname for Qaddafi.
Shops selling clothes, shoes and toys opened for the first time since the rebels entered the city Aug. 20.
Children accompanied their mothers and fathers into shops to pick clothes and toys for this week's Eid al-Fitr, the three-day holiday that caps the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
"This will be the happiest Eid we celebrate," said Munira Omar, 30 who bought her two daughters hair clips and dresses.
international newspapers international newspapers in english japan today news king world news
No comments:
Post a Comment