Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Gaddafi should be tried for crimes against humanity – Former Libyan PM | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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London, Asharq Al-Awsat – Former Libyan Prime Minister Mustafa Ahmed Ben Halim has said that the ousting of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi is not enough, and that he should be internationally tried for the crimes that he has committed. In a telephone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, former Prime Minister Ben Halim, who currently resides in the UAE, has called for an “independent international investigation” into the events in Libya to investigate claims of “crimes against humanity.” He called for international lawsuits to be raised against Colonel Gaddafi and his sons, and confirmed that the innocent and defenseless people of Libya are facing “genocide” at the hands of the security forces.

The former Libyan prime minister, who held this position for three years under King Idris prior to Gaddafi’s revolution, also called for “an immediate halt to the serious violation of human rights being carried out by the Libyan authorities.” Ben Halim told Asharq Al-Awsat that “there is brutality from the regime and its mercenaries; they are using live ammunition and air strikes against protestors.” He also said that the actions carried out by Gaddafi against his own people “lack basic human values and is incompatible with the dignity of the people.” Ben Halim called for “an urgent Arab, Islamic, and international position [to be taken] to help the Libyans who are facing genocide.” He also called on the international community “to condemn such acts…to save what can be saved [in Libya], and this is by announcing a position that puts an end to such heinous violations.”

Ben Halim called on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, as well as leaders of other Arab states, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, to intervene to stop the massacre taking place in the Libyan streets. Ben Halim confirmed that Gaddafi had brought in foreign mercenaries to attack the Libyan protestors, describing these mercenaries as being “African scum” brought in by Gaddafi to kill the people of Libya. He stressed that the world must not remain silent about these mercenaries and their crimes.