Gaddafi son not dead, says Libyan government

The Libyan government has denied rebel reports that Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son was killed in a Nato air strike on a front-line town in western Libya.

Gaddafi son not dead, says Libyan government

The Libyan government has denied rebel reports that Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son was killed in a Nato air strike on a front-line town in western Libya.

Officials in the rebel's capital of Benghazi said that Khamis Gaddafi was among 32 troops killed in a Nato strike early today on a government operations centre in Zlitan.

But in Tripoli, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said Khamis is alive and spoke to Libyan government officials to confirm his well-being.

"He is OK and alive, and they (reports of death) are just lies," Kaim told The Associated Press.

He said the rebels spread reports of Khamis' death to "distract attention" from the killing late last month of rebel military chief Abdel Fattah Younes.

The rebel leadership has insisted Younes' assassination was the work of the Gaddafi regime, but several witnesses say Younes was killed by fellow rebels.

Nato said in a statement that it was aware of the reports that Khamis had been killed, but it did not confirm his death.

It said alliance strikes on Thursday night hit an ammunition depot and military police facility in Zlitan, which is the main front of fighting between rebels and Gaddafi's troops, 90 miles (140 kms) south-east of Tripoli.

Mohammed al-Rajali, a spokesman for the rebel leadership in Benghazi said there were unconfirmed reports Khamis was killed when Nato hit a government operations centre.

"We want to capture all of these criminals and try them and bring them to justice but if killing them this way will stop the bloodshed I think it is another option," al-Rajali told The Associated Press.

The death of the 27-year-old Khamis would be a significant blow to the regime's efforts to fight off the rebels. He commands the 32nd Brigade, also known simply as the Khamis Brigade, one of the best trained and equipped units in the Libyan military.

Khamis' troops have been fighting rebels in and around Zlitan for months. The town is a major obstacle in the path of rebels from the nearby city of Misrata trying to make their way to the capital, Tripoli.

In May, Libyan officials announced that another of Gaddafi's seven biological sons, Saif al-Arab, was killed with three of Muammar Gaddafi's grandchildren in a Nato air strike against his house in Tripoli.

more courts articles

Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother

More in this section

Cranes arrive to start removing wreckage from deadly Baltimore bridge collapse Cranes arrive to start removing wreckage from deadly Baltimore bridge collapse
Jacob Zuma Former South Africa leader Jacob Zuma barred from running in elections
Nine detained in Tajikistan in relation to Moscow concert hall attack Nine detained in Tajikistan in relation to Moscow concert hall attack
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited