Gathafi son denies power struggle with brothers

Seif al-Islam stresses he maintains 'good relationship' with his family 'with no disagreement'.

Middle East Online

No truth to US cables TRIPOLI - Seif al-Islam, the son widely tipped to succeed Libyan leader Moamer Khadafi, on Friday denied he was locked in a power struggle with his brothers. "There is no disagreement or power struggle with my brothers" as reported in the media, Seif al-Islam said in a statement, stressing he maintained a "good relationship" with his family. In the statement, the eldest son of the long-serving Libyan leader said he "had no power" in his country and had no "influence" on the government. The comments came after the influential charity Seif al-Islam heads announced last week it would no longer champion the cause of domestic reform but instead focus on aid to sub-Saharan Africa. The Gathafi Foundation's abandonment of its political role as well as the detention of journalists working for the Al-Ghad publishing company, which Seif al-Islam sponsors, sparked reports of a power struggle between reformers and conservatives in Libya. US diplomatic cables released by whistleblowing website WikiLeaks have pointed to an apparent power struggle between Seif al-Islam and his brother Moatassem. Although he holds no official position, Seif al-Islam has since 2007 led efforts to reform the country, which has been ruled by his father since 1969. But his programme has suffered setbacks, particularly with media reforms.