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Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam captured in Libya Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam captured in Libya
(40 minutes later)
Colonel Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam has been captured, Libyan officials say.Colonel Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam has been captured, Libyan officials say.
He was seized by fighters near the southern town of Obari and flown to the city of Zintan in the north. Saif al-Islam told a journalist he was well.He was seized by fighters near the southern town of Obari and flown to the city of Zintan in the north. Saif al-Islam told a journalist he was well.
The former leader's son is the last key member of the Gaddafi family to be captured or killed.The former leader's son is the last key member of the Gaddafi family to be captured or killed.
Saif al-Islam, 39, is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity during the uprising against his father.Saif al-Islam, 39, is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity during the uprising against his father.
A picture showing him after his capture has appeared on the page of a Facebook group based in the Libyan town of Sabha. A militia force allied to the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) said he had been captured in the desert about 50km (30 miles) west of Obari, and taken to their base in Zintan in the north.
Saif al-Islam's capture grants even more power to the local militias in their bargaining with the central authorities of the National Transitional Council.Saif al-Islam's capture grants even more power to the local militias in their bargaining with the central authorities of the National Transitional Council.
That bargaining is now at its most intense. Since Tripoli fell three months ago, the ruling NTC has struggled to figure out a magic power-sharing formula between local militias and seasoned technocrats.That bargaining is now at its most intense. Since Tripoli fell three months ago, the ruling NTC has struggled to figure out a magic power-sharing formula between local militias and seasoned technocrats.
Its efforts to govern, centralise, and create a unified chain of command have been hampered by lacking control over the militias and attempting to govern without a cabinet.Its efforts to govern, centralise, and create a unified chain of command have been hampered by lacking control over the militias and attempting to govern without a cabinet.
Frequent postponements in announcing a cabinet, since its dissolution on 8 August, have called into question the NTC's ability to rein in the militias and steward Libya through the transition phase.Frequent postponements in announcing a cabinet, since its dissolution on 8 August, have called into question the NTC's ability to rein in the militias and steward Libya through the transition phase.
A militia force allied to the National Transitional Council (NTC) said he had been captured in Obari, near Sabha, in the south-west, and was taken to their base in Zintan in the north. A commander of the Zintan militia, Wisam Dughaly, said Saif al-Islam had been captured along with several aides as they tried to smuggle him out to neighbouring Niger.
A commander of the Zintan militia, Wisam Dughaly, said Saif al-Islam had been captured along with several aides, as they tried to smuggle him out to neighbouring Niger. Fighters said they were taken without a shot being fired.
He said Saif al-Islam was not hurt - though the picture on Facebook showed his right thumb and two fingers bandaged. "At the beginning he was very scared. He thought we would kill him," one of his captors, named as Ahmed Ammar, told Reuters news agency.
Asked by a Reuters reporter Marie-Louise Gumuchian on the flight to Zintan if he was feeling all right, he said simply: "Yes." Asked by a Reuters reporter Marie-Louise Gumuchian on the flight to Zintan if he was feeling all right, Saif al-Islam said simply: "Yes."
He told her he had been injured in a Nato air strike about a month ago.He told her he had been injured in a Nato air strike about a month ago.
The NTC's Justice Minister Mohammed al-Allagui said he would be transferred to the capital, Tripoli, soon.The NTC's Justice Minister Mohammed al-Allagui said he would be transferred to the capital, Tripoli, soon.
The ICC in The Hague says it has been officially notified of the arrest.The ICC in The Hague says it has been officially notified of the arrest.
Tribunal spokesman Fadi el-Abdallah told the BBC that Libya had a legal obligation to hand Saif al-Islam over to the court.Tribunal spokesman Fadi el-Abdallah told the BBC that Libya had a legal obligation to hand Saif al-Islam over to the court.
He added that the final decision on where any trial would take place was up to the ICC judges after consultations with the Libyan authorities.He added that the final decision on where any trial would take place was up to the ICC judges after consultations with the Libyan authorities.
Libyan Information Minister Mahmoud Shammam told Reuters news agency that Saif al-Islam would be put on trial in Libya.Libyan Information Minister Mahmoud Shammam told Reuters news agency that Saif al-Islam would be put on trial in Libya.
ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo said he was travelling to Libya for talks on the issue, adding: "The news is Saif will get justice. Where and how, that we will discuss."ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo said he was travelling to Libya for talks on the issue, adding: "The news is Saif will get justice. Where and how, that we will discuss."
The European Union urged Libyan authorities to ensure that Said al-Islam is brought to justice in full co-operation with the ICC.The European Union urged Libyan authorities to ensure that Said al-Islam is brought to justice in full co-operation with the ICC.
The capture leaves Gaddafi's former intelligence chief, Abdallah Senoussi, as the only Libyan ICC suspect still at large. British Prime Minister David Cameron called on the country's leaders to ensure he was tried "in line with international standards".
The Zintan fighters, who make up one of the powerful militia factions in the country, said they planned to keep Saif al-Islam in Zintan until they could hand him over to Tripoli.
Prime minister-designate Abdurrahim al-Keib is scheduled to announce a government next week.
CelebrationsCelebrations
Saif al-Islam had been on the run since NTC forces took the capital, Tripoli, in August. The capture leaves Gaddafi's former intelligence chief, Abdallah Senoussi, as the only Libyan ICC suspect still at large.
Saif al-Islam had been on the run since NTC forces took the capital, Tripoli, in August, six months into the uprising.
Colonel Gaddafi himself was killed on 20 October after being captured during the final battle for his hometown, Sirte.Colonel Gaddafi himself was killed on 20 October after being captured during the final battle for his hometown, Sirte.
The interim government in Libya has launched an inquiry into how he died.The interim government in Libya has launched an inquiry into how he died.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says Saif al-Islam's capture is a very significant moment for Libyans.The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says Saif al-Islam's capture is a very significant moment for Libyans.
They came to see Saif al-Islam as the heir apparent, as a younger version of his father due to his rhetoric during the uprising, she says.They came to see Saif al-Islam as the heir apparent, as a younger version of his father due to his rhetoric during the uprising, she says.
However, at one time he was considered one of the more liberal of Col Gaddafi's sons and was courted in the West.However, at one time he was considered one of the more liberal of Col Gaddafi's sons and was courted in the West.
Celebrations erupted on the streets of Tripoli shortly after the news of his arrest emerged.Celebrations erupted on the streets of Tripoli shortly after the news of his arrest emerged.
Our correspondent heard people hooting car horns, waving flags and firing guns into the air.Our correspondent heard people hooting car horns, waving flags and firing guns into the air.
Saif al-Islam has been reported captured before. In August, rebel forces announced his arrest as they took control of Tripoli - only for him to appear in front of cameras to disprove it.
Are you in Libya? Did you witness the capture? If you have any any information you wish to share with the BBC you can send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Libya? Did you witness the capture? If you have any any information you wish to share with the BBC you can send us your comments using the form below.