Analysis: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi... But!

A few hours ago, the London-based Times magazine published a report stating that "The British-educated son of the former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam, is planning a return to public life and intends to stand in a forthcoming presidential election."

The Times has not offered sufficient evidence for its story; however it said that "He (Saif al-Islam Gaddafi) spoke by telephone to confirm his identity and to say he was well, in a call arranged to clarify his relationship with a team of advisers acting on his behalf."

Saif al-Islam was seen as his father’s successor, but since was captured ten years ago, he has not been seen or heard from publicly following ousting his father regime.

The British magazine alleged that "He has also been reaching out to western and other diplomats with a view to establishing his credentials as he re-emerges into public life."

Although, Saif al-Islam remains wanted by the International Criminal Court, many Libyans demand the return of the son of the late leader of the oil-rich country.

Some Libyans believe that Saif al-Islam is their ‘Mahdi” (savior) who can solve the political crisis and the dilemma that the country has been witnessing since the fall of Gaddafi’s rule in 2011.

Saif al-Islam has always enjoyed the love and appreciation of all Libyan groups, especially the youth, who organized a demonstration in the capital, Tripoli, in 2008, when he announced his withdrawal from the political life, saying that he had completed his mission “and the train is on the track.”

In my opinion, Saif al-Islam is not an idiot to hand himself over to the Criminal Court. He neither seek seek to tease Libyans nor the world that count him somehow accountable for what the country has suffered.

He must reconsider the group he is working with and select much tongue-controlled figures who should work harder to clear the man's record and leave him return to public life peacefully.