Libya Ex-Interior Minister Bashagha Joins Presidential Race

(Bloomberg) -- Libya’s former security chief, a key player in the Tripoli-based government when the country was divided between east and west, on Thursday registered to run in presidential elections set for December, according to state television.

Fathi Bashagha had served as interior minister in the internationally recognized government that had been locked in a bitter conflict with an eastern-based rival before a cease-fire paved the way for the current unity administration. 

Read also: Libya’s Haftar to Join Qaddafi’s Son in Contesting Election (1)

He joins a line-up that includes Saif al-Islam Al Qaddafi, son of the OPEC nation’s ousted leader, eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar and former Prime Minister Ali Zaidan -- all of whom are seeking the presidency in the Dec. 24 ballot.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.