Gadhafi to political exiles: Come home to Libya, all is forgiven
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
CAIRO Ñ Libya has invited opponents to return from exile.
The Libyan External Security Service has issued a directive that offered Libyan opposition members the opportunity to return from exile. The foreign intelligence service, under orders from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, said dissidents could register with Libyan embassies abroad to facilitate their return.
"The leader of the revolution [Gadhafi] has instructed the security bodies and the competent people's committees to take the legal and administrative measures to facilitate the return to Libya of all those who had been deceived into joining any party that used them for their own ends, especially youngsters in high school who were taught things that had nothing to do with the Koran," the Libyan External Security Service said.
In a July 18 statement, the Libyan intelligence service relayed a pledge from Gadhafi to provide opposition members with jobs. The statement said relatives of Libyan exiles could also apply for their return.
"The Foreign Security Service appeals to those who have learned the lessons and chosen to obtain a family reunion at home to apply to the nearest Libyan people's bureau or diplomatic mission, which will be happy to process their applications and fulfill their wishes," the statement said.
The announcement came amid the threat of renewed unrest in Libya. Protests over the last year in Libya were said to have been encouraged and publicized by the opposition based in Britain and the United States.
Libyan opposition sources said dozens of exiles in the West have been allowed to return home over the last three years. The sources said the son and heir-apparent of Gadhafi, Seif Al Islam, has maintained a dialogue with the opposition, including Al Qaida.