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Muhammad Muammar Gaddafi (Arabic: محمد معمر القذافي; born 15 March 1970) is the eldest son of the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. While he was regarded as a possible successor to his father as ruler of Libya, he was reportedly uninterested in the role. In 2005, Muhammad was involved in an armed standoff with his half-brother Mutassim over the control of a Coca-Cola bottling plant.

He was also the chairman of the General Posts and Telecommunications Company which owned and operated cell phone and satellite services in Libya and the temporary head of the Libyan Football Federation at the time. The company is the exclusive internet provider in Libya, and immediately after the beginning of protests against the Gaddafi government in February 2011 which led to the Libyan Civil War, it cut internet links between Libya and the rest of the world.

Libyan civil war

On 30 April 2011, one of Muhammad's children was killed by a NATO airstrike along with his half-brother Saif al-Arab Gaddafi. Muhammad was among the 2,000 mourners at Saif al-Arab's funeral along with his half-brother Saif al-Islam on 2 May 2011.

On 21 August 2011, Muhammad surrendered to rebel forces of the National Transitional Council as they took over Tripoli. While being in custody in his home, he gave a phone interview to Al Jazeera, saying that he surrendered to the rebels and had been treated well before the line went dead from apparent gunfire. The National Transitional Council head later spoke to Al Jazeera assuring Muhammad's safety. Muhammad spoke to Al Jazeera again confirming his safety and that of his family.

On 22 August 2011, he escaped reportedly with the help of Gaddafi loyalists.

In exile

On 29 August 2011, he entered Algeria along with several other members of the Gaddafi family. In October 2012, they left a hideaway in Algeria to go to Oman, where they were granted political asylum. As of 2023, he was reported to reside in the Sultanate of Oman.

References

1. Verini, James (22 May 2011). "The Good Bad Son". New York Magazine. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
2. Lichtblau, Eric; Rohde, David; Risen, James (2011-03-24). "Shady Dealings Helped Qaddafi Build Fortune and Regime". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
3. "Libya Planning to Privatize Phone Networks". Cellular News. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
4. "Libya and Bahrain protests – Saturday 19 February". The Guardian. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
5. ^ "Thousands turn up at funeral of Gaddafi's son". France 24. 2011-05-02. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
6. Denyer, Simon (2011-05-02). "Mourners vow revenge as Gaddafi's son is buried". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
7. Fahim, Kareem; Kirkpatrick, David D. (21 August 2011). "Little Resistance as Rebels Enter Tripoli". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
8. "Gaddafi Son in Libyan Rebel Custody". Al Jazeera. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
9. "Gaddafi Son escaped". Al Jazeera. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
10. "Gaddafi family members flee to Algeria". Al Jazeera English. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
11. "Muammar Gaddafi's Daughter Thrown Out of Algeria After Starting Fires in Safe House". Time. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
12. "12 Years After Gaddafi's Death, What Do We Know about His Family?". english.aawsat.com.

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