08/23/2011, 00.00
LIBYA
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In Tripoli, Gaddafi’s son Seif al Islam reappears, free

Yesterday the rebels demanded his arrest and that he be brought before the International Court in The Hague. Pro-Gaddafi groups and rebels claim to control almost all of the capital. The NATO bombing and killing of civilians continues. Some media forced to keep silent about the presence of Islamic fundamentalists among the rebels.
Tripoli (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader whom the rebels said they had captured and brought before the Hague international tribunal, appeared very early this morning at Rixos hotel in the capital - where are foreign journalists are based- and boasted of His father’s forces ability to win against the rebels, who yesterday claimed the possession of almost all of the city.

In defiance, Seif, 39, considered the heir of the colonel, led some journalists to show them around the pro-Gaddafi militia control of the city. Seif claimed control of 75% of Tripoli, the rebels claim to control 80%.

The appearance of Gaddafi’s son – whom the rebels claimed arrested - has confused most observers. Overnight a different story spread: that the other son of Gaddafi, Muammar, whom the rebels say had spontaneously surrendered, has now "fled" and no one knows his whereabouts.

Some believe that the ease with which the rebels arrived in Tripoli is suspicious and that the pro-Gaddafi troops have laid a trap to annihilate them.

Yesterday leaders of the U.S., Europe, Australia and even China and Russia – so far resistant to NATO operations in Libya – called on Gaddafi to give up, to surrender and stop a possible "bloodbath".

NATO has not stopped its bombing and for the past two days some areas of the city continue to be to hit the area of Bab al Aziziah, the Gaddafi fortress and where the Libyan leader, is believed to be hiding. Meanwhile, in various parts of the city there are gunbattles.

According to some journalists in Tripoli, the NATO bombings continue to kill civilians. Some of them have received threats not to mention or report the presence among the rebels, of fundamentalist groups linked to al-Qaeda (see here).
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