About 70 percent of Libyans in Muammar Gaddafi’s main stronghold Tripoli still support him and he is in no danger of falling anytime soon, a captured Libyan intelligence officer said on Friday.
“For the most part Tripoli is stable. There is some opposition to Gaddafi but I would say he is safe,” said Brigadier-General Al-Hadi al-Ujaili, who described himself as a member of Libya’s all-pervasive intelligence service. “Gaddafi still has the support of key tribes. He is still very strong,” said the 54-year-old father of six, who was captured wearing a tan leisure suit by rebels pushing north towards the town of Zawiyah, 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli.
Gaddafi is clinging to power despite a near five-month-old NATO air campaign, tightening economic sanctions and a lengthening war with rebels trying to end his 41-year rule.
The rebels have seized large swathes of the North African state, but are deeply divided and lack experience.
Reuters was allowed to speak to Ujaili, who was transported in the back of a pick-up truck, inside a concrete hut in the village of Shalghouda shortly after he was arrested.
Sitting cross-legged on a mat beside tin foil containers of old couscous, he was composed and almost defiant.
Angry rebels frequently interrupted the interview with condemnations of Gaddafi, who has ruled the North African oil-producing country for more than 40 years.
“There is opposition to Gaddafi in some parts of Tripoli like Tajoura and Souk al-Jumma,” said Ujaili. “I have heard that there are still demonstrations there. It’s a problem.”
Captured intel officer says Gaddafi still strong
