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'Big gap.' Gaddafi's son
Photo: Reuters

Gaddafi's son denies turmoil sweeping Libya

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi tells ABC News Libyan army not targeting citizens. 'Show me a single attack, show me a single bomb,' he says. Tunisian PM Ghannouchi says will resign

The son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi denied in a US television interview that turmoil was sweeping the country and said the military did not use force against the people, despite reports to the contrary.

 

There was a "big, big gap between reality and the media reports," Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, told ABC News' "This Week" television program. "The whole south is calm. The west is calm. The middle is calm. Even part of the east."

 

His assessment came despite media reports of more gains by anti-Gaddafi forces with the latest coming from the city of Zawiyah, only 30 miles (50 km) west of the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

 

Saif Gaddafi also denied allegations that the military was targeting Libyan citizens.

 

"Show me a single attack, show me a single bomb," he said in the interview. "The Libyan air force destroyed just the ammunition sites. That's it."

 

US President Barack Obama has urged Muammar Gaddafi to step down from power and on Friday imposed sanctions against him and his government to freeze assets. Saif rejected that call and urged the United States to stay out of Libyan business.

 

"It's not an American business, that's number one," he said. "Second, do they think this is a solution? Of course not."

 

Meanwhile in Tunisia, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi said he will resign, amid renewed violence during protests in this North African country.

 

Ghannouchi, 69, has been a major irritant to Tunisians behind the so-called "Jasmine Revolution" - weeks of public upheaval that drove longtime autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power last month.

 

Even though Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14, Ghannouchi _ who served for 11 years as his prime minister - had promised to stay on to guide the country until elections this summer.

 

Ghannouchi's announcement on state TV and radio came a day after officials said at least four people had died in recent days in the capital during clashes between stone-throwing protesters and police.

 

Reuters, AP contributed to the report 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.27.11, 17:36
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