BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese authorities have released Hannibal Gadhafi, the son of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, after he met the conditions set by the court, which included a bail payment of $900,000. His release marks the end of a decade-long detention linked to allegations of withholding information regarding a missing Lebanese cleric. Security officials, along with a member of Gadhafi's defense team, confirmed his release on Monday evening, following the completion of the necessary legal paperwork.
A lawyer for Hannibal Gadhafi, Charbel Milad al-Khoury, informed The Associated Press that the formalities were finalized, leading to his release. The decision to free Gadhafi came shortly after Lebanese judicial authorities lifted a travel ban that had been placed on him and significantly reduced the financial bail amount. These developments occurred in the wake of a recent visit by a Libyan delegation to Lebanon which aimed to secure Gadhafi's release.
On October 12, a Lebanese judge had initially set Gadhafi’s bail at $11 million, alongside a restriction preventing him from leaving Lebanon. His legal representatives argued that he lacked sufficient funds to meet this bail requirement and subsequently requested permission for him to depart the country. Responding to these arguments, judicial authorities revisited the bail conditions, and on Thursday prior to his release, they reduced the amount to 80 billion Lebanese pounds, approximately $900,000, while also permitting him to travel once the bail was secured.
It was reported by two judicial officials that the bail was financed by the Libyan delegation that traveled to Lebanon for negotiations regarding Gadhafi's release. The Justice Ministry of the Tripoli-based Libyan government corroborated this information through its social media platforms, confirming that the bail payment was made by the visiting delegation.
Gadhafi's prolonged detention in Lebanon had drawn significant attention, primarily due to his family’s high-profile background and the complexities of international relations surrounding Libya’s former regime. The unfolding of recent events has underscored the delicate negotiations between Lebanon and Libya, particularly in the context of Gadhafi's legal challenges and the broader implications for both countries' diplomatic ties.
In the broader landscape, Hannibal Gadhafi's release could potentially signal a thaw in relations between Lebanon and Libya, as both nations navigate their post-revolution realities. The resolution of this case may pave the way for future collaboration and dialogue between the two countries, especially in light of the historical context and significant political changes that have shaped their interactions in recent years.
