Thursday 28 June 2012

Mahmoud al-Baghdadi extradited to Libya

In a public display of the lack of solidarity among Tunisia's three most senior of officials of state, Libya's 70 year-old former prime minister Dr Mahmoud al-Baghdadi was extradited to Tripoli on 25 June. This occurred despite apparent differences of opinion within the Tunisian political hierarchy on the legality and humanity of his enforced return.

The moderate Islamist-dominated government - led by Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali who is also Ennahda's secretary-general - took and carried out the decision without informing the left-wing secular and largely ceremonial president Moncef Marzouki.

Regional and international human rights organisations have been uncomfortable with the internal bargaining games being played in this arena. Al-Baghdadi, who has been under arrest since he illegally entered Tunisia in August 2011, represents an important family in western Libya, including groups such as the Nuail. He served his medical studentship partly in the UK and was really only a political light-weight during the latter part of the Qadhafi era. Besides seeking vengeance against all Qadhafi regime officials, however, he is also wanted because it is believed he can reveal the regime's secrets.

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

© 2012 Menas Associates

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