On Friday, the Social League of Youth of the Qadhadhfa Tribe in Libya condemned the arrest of Ali Abu Sbeiha, head of the reconciliation team affiliated with presidential candidate Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.
Abu Sbeiha was detained for supporting the statement of Zintan components endorsing presidential and parliamentary elections and not excluding Saif al-Islam from the elections.
It described Sheikh Ali Abu Sbeiha as elderly, in his seventies, suffering from chronic illnesses, and his arrest as a shameful and unacceptable act that must be strongly rejected.
It urged the Presidential Council, government bodies, local and international human rights institutions, the Attorney General, and the African Union to press for the immediate release of the Abu Sbeiha and investigate the circumstances of his arrest.
The statement noted that there can be no justification or tolerance for any infringement on individual rights, emphasising that human rights and dignity should be a top priority.
The statement condemned “the racist and harmful act.” It called for respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law. It also emphasised that every individual has the right to express their opinions without threat or reprisal.
The Qadhadhfa Tribe (Gaddafis) is the ancestral family of Muammar Gaddafi, the former ruler of Libya for more than four decades.
On Thursday, the military and social forces of Zintan publicly declared their support for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s candidacy in the upcoming Libyan presidential elections. This announcement comes at a critical time when Libya is grappling with deepening crises and a stalled political process.
During a formidable military display, the Zintan Military Council voiced its strong advocacy for national elections as a solution to Libya’s ongoing strife and a means to unify the country. The council highlighted the urgent need for leadership that can steer Libya away from the brink of total collapse.
The Zintan forces expressed severe concerns over the manipulation of the public’s will by entrenched corrupt elites who resist relinquishing power, which hampers the renewal of legitimate institutions through free and fair elections.
Furthermore, the council issued a stern warning about the dire consequences of continued deception and manipulation in the political arena. They committed to opposing any further deterioration caused by such corrupt practices, holding those responsible for the electoral process accountable for the country’s ongoing hardships.
