Revolution is victory for Libya – Gaddafi’s cousin

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat – Ousted Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s cousin, Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam, stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat that he remained neutral and impartial since the beginning of the Libyan revolution. Gaddaf al-Dam, who bears a strong resemblance to his cousin, and who often acted as an intermediary between the Gaddafi regime and Cairo – where he lives – stressed that any victory must be for the Libyan state and its future, in order to establish a democratic state that respects human rights and moves to implement development in all fields.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Gaddaf al-Dam stressed that “the only victor in this revolution is Libya itself, for nobody will be victorious over anybody else, and no Libyan will be down to any other Libyan, rather everybody must bow down to [the state of] Libya.”

As for the future of Libya, Gaddaf al-Dam said “of course priority must be given to preserve the unity of the Libyan territory and people, as well as ensuring that there is no foreign intervention, and that the Libyan people have the right to decide their own destiny.”

As for whether he intends to participate in post-revolutionary politics in Libya, Gaddaf al-Dam told Asharq Al-Awsat that “I am a soldier for my country, and I have never sought to be in power, even during the Gaddafi era.  Therefore, I see my role as strengthening unity and reconciliation between the people of Libya, and ending the state of confusion and uncertainty about the future.”  He added “I will do what I can in order to support Libyan security, stability, and unity.”

On the possibility of returning to Libya, Gaddaf al-Dam said that “nobody need call anyone to return to their homeland, because [Libya] accommodates everybody, today and in the future.”

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s cousin reiterated his support for the establishment of a new democratic state in Libya, stressing that he always remained impartial and did not support one party against another during the Libyan revolution.

In an interview conducted with Al-Arabiya TV two days ago, Gaddaf al-Dam also stressed his “neutrality”, saying that “I was the first to protest and resign” adding that “the rebels had legitimate demands [therefore] I left Libya and came to Egypt so as not to take sides.”

In the same interview, he called on the people of Libya, including Gaddafi loyalists, to “listen to what my brother [Mustafa] Abdel Jalil has said…the military, civilians, and sheikhs must listen to Abdel Jalil’s call to sit down together and avoid more bloodshed.  There has been enough destruction.”