Kadhafi slams state employees
2006-08-21 19:44
Tripoli - The eldest son of Libyan leader Mouammar Kadhafi has fiercely denounced the lack of democratic reforms in Libya, accusing public servants of operating like a "mafia" to block essential economic and political changes.
Seif al-Islam Kadhafi said: "Let's stop kidding ourselves that were are living in a paradise, one in which public sector officials act as though they own the companies they manage."
"The beneficiaries of this chaos is a group of state employees and big wigs united in an unholy alliance resembling a mafia."
Seif al-Islam, 36, who heads the Kadhafi foundation for charity associations and is known for his outspoken views on reforms, lamented the fact that there was no "people power" in Libya as called for by the "Green Book" written by his father 30 years ago.
A constitution has to be drawn
The book, which grew eventually to comprise three small volumes, spells out the Libyan leader's political ideology.
"The democratic system we are dreaming of does not exist.
"Because if the people truly had power, how can one explain that decisions taken in the name of the people are undermined and individuals are manhandled and imprisoned for no reason."
He said a constitution had to be drawn up and called for privatisations to continue, notably in the telecommunications and banking sectors.
He also called for foreign banks to be able to start operating in the country beginning next year.
- SAPA