The Daily

Qaddafi's Son is Alive, and He Wants to Take Back Libya

Oct 22, 2021
Robert F. Worth, a contributor to The New York Times Magazine and an expert on Libyan politics, dives deep into Seif al-Islam Qaddafi’s surprising return to the political arena. Listeners learn about Seif's tumultuous past, including his capture during the Arab Spring and his vision for Libya’s future. Worth discusses the complex legacy of the Qaddafi regime and the societal scars it left. The podcast reveals how Seif's ambitions clash with the harsh realities of modern Libya, questioning whether he can genuinely connect with the hopes of his people.
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ANECDOTE

Tripoli Prison Atrocity

  • Robert F. Worth visited an old Qaddafi military base outside Tripoli with Tahir, a former prisoner.
  • Tahir described the torture he and 150 others endured, including being confined in a metal compartment for days.
INSIGHT

Saif's Return

  • Robert F. Worth returned to Libya because Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, a son of the former dictator, has resurfaced.
  • Saif al-Islam aims to regain power, posing a significant threat to Libya's fragile political landscape.
INSIGHT

Saif's Early Image

  • Saif al-Islam, son of Muammar Gaddafi, cultivated an image as a reformer distinct from his father.
  • Educated abroad and engaging with international figures, he presented himself as a modernizer for Libya.
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