Gaddafi’s son vows reform after violence

Protesters demonstrate against the rule of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi in front of the White House in Washington. Gaddafi's son, Saif, has pledged a campaign of reforms after violent protests in the North African country.

Protesters demonstrate against the rule of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi in front of the White House in Washington. Gaddafi's son, Saif, has pledged a campaign of reforms after violent protests in the North African country.

Published Feb 21, 2011

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Rabat - A son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi promised a programme of reforms on Sunday after bloody protests against his father's rule reached the capital.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who has in the past pushed a reform agenda in Libya with only limited success, also hit out at those behind the violence, which has cost more than 200 lives over the past few days, according to human rights groups.

He said protests against his father's rule, which have been concentrated in the east of the country, threatened to sink Libya into civil war and split the country up into several small states.

Saif al-Islam also acknowledged - in the first such admission by a Libyan official - that the police and army made mistakes in dealing with the protests. But he said reports of hundreds killed were an exaggeration.

He said the General People's Congress, Libya's equivalent of a parliament, would convene on Monday to discuss a “clear” reform agenda, while the government would also raise wages. - Reuters

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