The son of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi said Wednesday Arab countries should support President Bush's campaign to promote democracy in the Middle East. Numerous Arab governments have rejected Bush's democracy initiative, notably Egypt's and Saudi Arabia's, as an imposition unsuited to Arab culture and traditions.
| A culture of despotism, traditions of oppression... |
"Instead of shouting and criticizing the American initiative, you have to bring democracy to your countries, and then there will be no need to fear America or your people," said Seif al-Islam Gadhafi. "The Arabs should either change or change will be imposed on them from outside."
| "There's the choice, guys. We're changing. What're you gonna do?" |
Seif denied reports that he is a candidate to succeed his father, who rules Libya with little tolerance of opposition. "Many Arab countries are now following the policy of inheriting the leadership, but there are hundreds of Libyans who are better (suited) than I," Seif said. Seif even praised Israel, saying that unlike Arab countries, sons do not tend to succeed their fathers in power there. "We don't put the appropriate person in the right place, but Israel is a democratic country," told the Al-Jazeera television station.
| Bet that statement caused a fire in the studio... |
In Syria, Bashar Assad became president on the death of his father in 2000, and in Egypt, the son of President Hosni Mubarak is playing an increasing important role in affairs of state and the ruling party. Seif said Libya has its own version of democracy. He said it was a formula based on "human rights, democracy, protecting the individual and the society."
| "We're still working on the details, of course..." |
Seif heads the Gadhafi International Association for Charitable Organizations, which has played a major role in trying to soften the image of Libya and return it to the international mainstream. |