Libya Buries Gadhafi’s Son as Mourners Call for Revenge

Moammar Gadhafi Did Not Attend Over Security Concerns

Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s youngest son Saif al-Arab was buried today in the city of Tripoli, following his killing during a Saturday air strike by NATO forces. His brothers Saif al-Islam and Mohammed attended, but Moammar did not over security concerns.

The Saturday air strike destroyed Saif al-Arab’s home, killing him and three of Moammar Gadhafi’s grandchildren. The dictator was rumored to have been present in the home at the time, but was not harmed. NATO insisted the strike hit a military target.

The strike led to a number of questions about why the residence was targeted. Saif al-Arab al-Gadhafi had no government position, and lived mostly in Germany over the past several years. He had made no comments in favor of the regime’s crackdown.

The death sparked massive protests in Tripoli on Sunday, with demonstrators attacking Western embassies, destroying the British ambassador’s residence. The regime expressed “regret” over the destruction, and promised to repair all damage done.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.