Thousands Gather in Libya for Funeral of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
In a poignant display of grief, thousands of Libyans have turned up to bid farewell to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the late son of Muammar Gaddafi who was brutally killed in his home earlier this week. The burial took place on Friday in the town of Bani Walid, some 175 kilometres south of Tripoli.
Just nearly 15 years after Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow and assassination, thousands of loyalists have gathered to pay their respects to Saif al-Islam, who was once seen as his father's heir apparent. Despite being described as a reformer, he had cultivated an image that often clashed with the brutal reality of his father's iron-fisted rule.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi died on Tuesday in his home in Zintan following a direct confrontation with four unknown gunmen who broke into his residence. The Libyan authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and working to identify suspects.
The country remains divided, with Libya split between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah's UN-backed government based in Tripoli and an eastern administration backed by Khalifa Haftar. His killing has been seen as a possible alternative to the power duopoly that has plagued Libya for years.
Thousands of mourners from across the country have attended the funeral, including Waad Ibrahim, who said: "We are here to accompany our beloved one, the son of our leader in whom we placed our hope and our future."
In a poignant display of grief, thousands of Libyans have turned up to bid farewell to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the late son of Muammar Gaddafi who was brutally killed in his home earlier this week. The burial took place on Friday in the town of Bani Walid, some 175 kilometres south of Tripoli.
Just nearly 15 years after Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow and assassination, thousands of loyalists have gathered to pay their respects to Saif al-Islam, who was once seen as his father's heir apparent. Despite being described as a reformer, he had cultivated an image that often clashed with the brutal reality of his father's iron-fisted rule.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi died on Tuesday in his home in Zintan following a direct confrontation with four unknown gunmen who broke into his residence. The Libyan authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and working to identify suspects.
The country remains divided, with Libya split between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah's UN-backed government based in Tripoli and an eastern administration backed by Khalifa Haftar. His killing has been seen as a possible alternative to the power duopoly that has plagued Libya for years.
Thousands of mourners from across the country have attended the funeral, including Waad Ibrahim, who said: "We are here to accompany our beloved one, the son of our leader in whom we placed our hope and our future."
️ Saif al-Islam's funeral was a somber affair... lots of people showing up to say goodbye 
️. I think its crazy that after 15 yrs since his dad got taken down, people are still getting emotional about him 
. The guy had a complicated past - some thought he'd be the reformer, but nope, he stuck with the Gaddafi family image 
. Still, its interesting to see how Libya's all divided between different factions 
... Khalifa Haftar's eastern admin and the UN-backed gov in Tripoli, its like, two different Libyas 
. Anyway, it was a big turnout for Saif al-Islam's last sendoff 
- thousands showed up to pay their respects 
.
Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for the guy, but it's like the country's trying to rewrite history here.
It's like they're hoping to just sweep all their problems under the rug.
. But seriously, what's going on with Libya? It feels like the country is stuck in this endless loop of power struggles and violence. 15 years after Muammar Gaddafi's downfall, and yet you still have factions fighting over who gets to run the show... it's just so frustrating 
. And now Saif al-Islam is dead, which might actually bring some stability? But will it really work? I'm not holding my breath 
. Anyway, this whole situation is just super complicated and has me thinking - what does it mean for Libya now that his "reformer" image was always kinda at odds with reality? 
Sometimes people need a reminder that even those who've done questionable things can evoke strong emotions & be remembered with respect by those they care about. It's a bittersweet feeling, I guess 
It's so surreal.
. Anyway, looking at the attendance numbers, I see a graph that looks like this: 
1,000 (2011), 
.
.
. Anyways, my condolences to Saif al-Islam's fam 
