Breaking News

Libyan rebel leader who led Gaddafi overthrow dies of COVID-19

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 02:56 pm

The former head of the rebel government that overthrew Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 Mahmud Jibril died on Sunday of the coronavirus, his party confirmed.

Jibril, 68, was in Cairo where he had been hospitalised for two weeks, said Khaled al-Mrimi, secretary of the Alliance of National Forces party founded by Jibril in 2012.

According to Hisham Wagdyn, the director of the Egyptian hospital, the 68-year-old former leader was admitted to the hospital on March 21 after suffering a heart attack, before testing positive for the new coronavirus and being quarantined.

The former rebel leader was appointed head of the interim government in March 2011, a few weeks after the outbreak of the Arab Spring uprising in Libya.

He made numerous trips to Western capitals to convince his leaders to support the revolt against Muammar Gaddafi. This led to a NATO coalition led by Washington, Paris and London after a green light from the UN Security Council.

Libya is now torn between two rival governments. The internationally backed Tripoli-government and the militarily menacing eastern government led by rebel leader Khalifa Haftar, based in Benghazi. As of April 06, Libya has recorded 18 cases of the coronavirus with one death.

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

South African Group Petitions For Chidimma Adetshina’s Removal FromInternational Miss Universe Pageant Over Identity Fraud Allegations

A group called Progressive Forces in South Africa has launched a petition against MissUniverse Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, with the aim…

November 5, 2024

Mauritius Reopens Social MediaAccess in Response to PublicPressure

Mauritius on Saturday overruled its decision to prohibit social media until the election onNovember 10th which was caused by a…

November 5, 2024

UAE Crown Prince Arrives in Ethiopia for WorldWithout Hunger Conference

The UAE’s Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed AlNahyan was in Addis Ababa…

November 5, 2024

Zimbabwe’s rich (Mbingas) linked to state looting

Gilbert Machokoto, a former teacher, said that setting up a business in the late 1980s, shortlyafter Zimbabwe's independence, was ‘like…

November 4, 2024

Historic Shift in Botswana as PresidentConcedes to Opposition Victory

Following elections in which the party that had ruled the diamond-rich nation for almost 60years suffered a historic setback. Botswana's…

November 4, 2024

Lightning Strike at Uganda Refugee CampClaims 14 Lives, Including Children

A lightning strike at a refugee camp in Uganda kills 14 people including children with 34 othershospitalized. The incident happened…

November 4, 2024

This website uses cookies.