Haftar militia surrounds Libyan court ahead of Gaddafi’s appeal

By Mohammad Erteima
TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar’s militia on Monday surrounded the Sabha Court of Appeal in southern Libya ahead of a session to hear an appeal by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi against a decision to exclude him from the country’s presidential elections, according to local media.

The private Libya al-Ahrar TV aired a video showing militants from Haftar-affiliated Tarik Bin Ziyad militia while surrounding the court.

Gaddafi, the son of former Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi, confirmed on Twitter that "a military force is besieging the Sabha court and prevents the entry of judges and staff."

Last week, Libya’s elections commission announced a primary list of 73 candidates for the presidential elections after excluding Gaddafi and 24 others.

Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections are set to be held on Dec. 24 under an UN-sponsored agreement reached by Libyan political rivals during meetings in Tunisia on Nov. 15, 2020.

Libyans hope that the upcoming elections will contribute to ending an armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara