Gaddafi son threatens Libyan ‘traitors’ with revenge

Seif al Islam Gaddafi, one of the killed Libyan dictator’s sons, has vowed to make the lives of “the traitors” who toppled his father “hell,” Arab media reported on Wednesday. “In this historic moment, when some believe that everything is over… I would like to clearly state my goals and say: everything is just beginning,” the Al-Rai Al-Arabi news portal quoted him as saying. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Seif al Islam Gaddafi, who was the dictator's favorite and one-time heir apparent, on charges of committing crimes against humanity. The London-educated 39-year-old is the last member of Gaddafi’s immediate family who is believed to be in Libya. In his statement, he called on his supporters to continue fighting for a “lost Libya and lost honor” and punish “criminals and murderers” involved in his father’s ouster and death. Seif al Islam Gaddafi commanded troops loyal to his father in Muammar Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte before the regime’s last stronghold fell to the ruling National Transitional Council forces last week. The ousted Libyan dictator, who was holing up in the town, died after being captured by opposition fighters, while his son managed to escape. Conflicting media reports have suggested that Seif al Islam Gaddafi may be hiding in southern Libya, either in the area bordering Niger that is populated by tribes loyal to the Gaddafi clan, or in the Bao region near Libya’s borders with Chad and the Sudanese region of Darfur. Some analysts have warned that the Libyan unrest may turn into a violent inter-tribal rivalry that would challenge the country’s unity after the death of dictator Gaddafi. Acting Libyan leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil has urged NATO to continue its mission in the country until at least the end of 2011. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said last week the alliance was planning to wind down its operations in Libya by October 31, but U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta suggested on Tuesday the mission could continue beyond this date.