ICC Prosecutor Says Libya May Try Qaddafi's Son

Saif al-Islam Qaddafi after his capture on November 19

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has said that the captured son of deceased leader Muammar Qaddafi may be tried in Libya, where he could face the death penalty if convicted.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo made the statement on November 22 in Tripoli, where he held talks with Libyan officials from the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC).

The NTC says that it wants Saif al-Islam and Libya's former security chief Abdullah al-Senussi on trial in Libya rather than in The Hague. The two were captured on November 19 in the south of the country.

Moreno-Ocampo told journalists in Tripoli the ICC is ready to help Libyan authorities with the prosecution.

"Saif [was] captured, so we are here to ensure cooperation," he said. "Now in May, we requested an arrest warrant because Libyans could not do justice in Libya. Now as Libyans have decided to do justice, they could do justice and we will help them to do it."

The ICC on June 27 issued arrest warrants against Qaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and his security chief al-Senussi for committing crimes against humanity in trying to put down Libya's bloody revolt.

compiled from agency reports