Libya rejects ICC's arrest warrant for Gaddafi

Tripoli, Jun 28: The crisis stricken Libyan government rejected arrest warrant issued for its leader Muammar Gaddafi. The government alleged the warrant was a cover for NATO force to kill Gaddafi.

Libyan deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaaim blamed ICC was functioning as a European foreign policy vehicle. He said that any counts against Gaddafi will be dealt in Libyan court.

"It is a political court which serves its European paymasters," Khaled Kaaim said adding "Our own courts will deal with any human rights abuses and other crimes committed in the course of conflict in Libya."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday, Jun 27 issued an arrest warrant for Muammar Gaddafi, his son, Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi. The warrant accused Gaddafi of perpetrating crimes against humanity to win his seat of power.

The arrest warrant was issued following a warrant request by chief ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo in May 2011. The warrant said that Gaddafi was instrumental in orchestrating the killing, injuring, arrest and imprisonment of hundreds of civilians during the course of the 12-day uprising that saw him clinging on to power.

Libya has been witnessing conflict between anti-government protesters and security forces since last two months. Protesters demand resignation of Gaddafi, who controls the power since the last four decades. Following the unrest in the country, international community including United States and its allies asked Gaddafi to step down the power. He rejected their demand which later ended in NATO's intrusion in Libya.

OneIndia News