Authorities probe attack on Sebha court

The Libyan Government has condemned an attack on a court ahead of an appeal by the son of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi against the rejection of his presidential election candidacy. The electoral commission on Wednesday announced the rejection of the candidacy of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. Seif al-Islam was among 25 of the 98 hopefuls whose bids were turned down for non-compliance with the provisions of the electoral law. A report on the EWN site notes that the unsuccessful applicants were given 48 hours to appeal the decision in courts. However, a ‘group of outlaws’ on Thursday launched an ‘odious’ attack on the court in the southern town of Sebha forcing it to shut just hours before Seif al-Islam had been due to appeal. Government has ordered the Interior & Justice Ministries to open an investigation into the attack. ‘This act is an obstacle to the electoral process,’ said Khaled al-Zaydi, a lawyer for Seif al-Islam. Legalbrief reports that Libya's High National Election Commission has confirmed that the first round of presidential elections will be held on 24 December. The second round, as well as the parliamentary elections, are set to take place 50 days later. All final results will be announced simultaneously.

Full report on the EWN site