Muhammad al Senussi, the heir apparent in Libya’s overthrown monarchy, called on the international community Thursday to help oust Libyan strongman Moammar Kadafi and denounced the “massacre” he said was being committed against his countrymen.
In an interview with Al Jazeera television, the 48-year-old grand nephew of the late deposed Libyan king said it was up to the Libyan people whether they wanted to restore the monarchy but that the world must act now to protect Libyans from brutality unleashed by Kadafi loyalists.
“The international community knows the way to stop the massacre,” al Senussi said in broken English from his home in exile in London.
Asked if he would support foreign military intervention, the self-styled crown prince replied: “Anything to stop the killing, I would support it.”
Libya’s short-lived monarchy began and ended with King Idris, who ruled from 1951 until a military coup led by then 27-year-old Kadafi drove the royal family into exile. Idris died in Cairo in 1983. He fathered five sons and a daughter but none survived childhood, leaving no direct heir. At least one other distant relative of the king also claims to be rightful heir to the throne.
— Carol J. Williams
