Haftar’s eldest son ‘willing’ to run for Libya’s presidency

Al-Siddiq Haftar, the eldest son of Libyan renegade General Khalifa Haftar, said yesterday that he is ready to run for president.

In an interview, 43-year-old Al-Siddiq defended his family’s role in the country and sought to present himself as a “representative” of the young generation of Libyans.

“I believe that I have the ability to positively heal the rift between Libyans and establish the principle of national reconciliation among all the Libyan people, and this role is at the heart of what [my] family does in defending the homeland on the civil side,” he said.

When asked whether he would run in any presidential elections in the future, Al-Siddiq said the decision to run depends on the circumstances present at the time, but stressed that if he ran, he “would represent all Libyans”.

“As for my presidential candidacy, this is up to the Libyan people who see it as a positive addition, and I have the ability to change the scene in a positive and effective way… I am ready to help members of the Libyan people in any position… from any position in which I have the ability… and my goal is to serve the Libyans and show our country in the beautiful image,” he added.

The United Nations seeks to hold nationwide legislative elections before the presidential elections, but on 22 August it said that a consensus government must be approved by all major parties to lead the country during the elections.

The Libyan parliament in the east has not accepted the internationally recognised Libyan National Unity Government in Tripoli, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.

OPINION: Normalisation with Israel is political suicide

Al-Siddiq said he does not have a “personal” problem with the current government, but that a new government of technocrats must be formed that clearly undertakes the task of preparing for the elections.

“Based on what we have seen from the government in place now, unfortunately, it has failed to carry out its role, which is to prepare for the elections, and has begun to perform tasks other than the tasks assigned to it, and elections cannot be held under this government,” he said.

“If the election law that exists now is based on the satisfaction and agreement of all Libyans, it is acceptable to us,” he added.

Elections, he explained, cannot be held without stabilising the security situation throughout the country, as the absence of security and stability will not lead to “free and fair” elections.