The announcement of the capture of Muammar Qaddafi's son Saif al Islam, 39, outside Obari near the southern desert town of Sabha was initially celebrated as the last chapter of the ex-ruler's family role in the fight for control of Libya – but not for long. Although justice minister claimed his arrest, it quickly turned out that Qaddafi's son was in the hands of one of Libya's most important militias, the Zintan Brigades, who refused to hand him over until a government is formed.
He was flown to their mountain stronghold in the Nafusa Mountains 136 kilometers southwest of Tripoli.
This Berber militia is not likely to let go of its valuable bargaining chip in a hurry. It enables its leaders to throw a wrench into the plans of Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib to present his cabinet lineup Sunday for the National Transitional Council-NTC to confirm Tuesday. Nov. 22.