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Senussi’s Tribe to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Don’t Know if He’s Dead or Alive

Abdullah al-Senussi seen in court. (Reuters file photo)
Abdullah al-Senussi seen in court. (Reuters file photo)
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Senussi’s Tribe to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Don’t Know if He’s Dead or Alive

Abdullah al-Senussi seen in court. (Reuters file photo)
Abdullah al-Senussi seen in court. (Reuters file photo)

Libya’s Magarha tribe stressed that it does not know the fate of its son, Abdullah al-Senussi, former chief of intelligence in the regime of ousted ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi.

Senior member of the tribe, Sheikh Haroun Arhouma told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We will not remain silent if something were to happen to him.”

Senussi, also Gaddafi’s son-in-law, was one of the top officials in the former regime. He was sentenced to death in 2015 for suppressing the February 17, 2011, revolution protests. At 72, he is suffering from cancer, and according to his tribe, is being denied treatment and medical care.

Sheikh Haroun said Senussi’s health is “very poor”, revealing that he is suffering from heart problems, as well as liver cancer.

Several parties have held the authorities responsible for his ongoing imprisonment even though former regime figures have been released from jail.

Sheikh Haroun also held the United Nations mission accountable for his safety.

“We have not seen him since Ramadan,” said Sheikh Haround, adding that his three children have been prevented from visiting him.

“We don’t know whether he is dead or alive,” he added.

Senussi is being held in Mitiga prison in the capital Tripoli. The facility is controlled by the Special Deterrence Force militia, headed by Abdel Raouf Kara.

Sheikh Haroun said the tribe was informed that Senussi had undergone heart surgery two months ago, but his relatives have yet to see him.

On assertions by Senussi’s daughter that he is in poor health, Sheikh Haroun declared: “I hold the UN, the Government of National Unity (GNU), headed by Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, and the Presidential Council responsible for his safety.

He revealed that the tribe had twice met with Dbeibah, head of the Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, and High Council of State chief Khalid al-Mishri to seek Senussi’s release but to no avail.

The UN Support Mission in Libya “has done nothing even though we have pleaded with it dozens of times to act,” revealed Sheikh Haroun.

The mission has long called for the release of people who have been “arbitrarily” detained, but it also says that it refuses to become embroiled in the judiciary and respects its rulings.

Senussi was part of Gaddafi’s inner circle. He was close to the deposed leader for 42 years and is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

His supporters say he is being targeted because he was and still is an influential figure in Libya, while his opponents say he played a primary role in quelling the revolt.

Sheikh Haroun speculated that Senussi is being kept in prison because “he is loved by all regions in Libya.”

“The majority of the people want him to be released,” he added, suggesting that international powers, such as Britain and the United States, have been pressuring the Deterrence Force against releasing him.

“Had it not been for Senussi, the former regime would have collapsed a long time ago,” continued Sheikh Haroun.

“If he were to be released, then he would be able to activate the national reconciliation due to his good ties with all parties, including the armed forces and brother Khalifa Haftar [commander of the Libyan National Army],” he remarked.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.