Africa News

Libya's Gaddaffi pained by Tunisian revolt, blames WikiLeaks

Jan 16, 2011, 10:01 GMT

Cairo/Tripoli - Libyan President Moammar Gaddaffi said he was pained by events in Tunisia surrounding the overthrow of former president Zine al-Abedine ben Ali, Libyan television reported Sunday.

'I am concerned for the people of Tunisia, whose sons are dying each day,' Gaddafi said overnight in a televised statement addressing people in neighbouring Tunisia.

'And for what? In order for someone to become president instead of Ben Ali?' he added.

'I do not know these new people, but we all knew Ben Ali and the transformation that was achieved in Tunisia. Why are you destroying all of that?' he asked.

Gaddafi warned Tunisians against being tricked by 'WikiLeaks which publishes information written by lying ambassadors in order to create chaos.'

Last month, WikiLeaks released a cable sent by the US embassy in Tunis in which Ben Ali's family was described as a 'quasi mafia' due to its 'organised corruption.'

The cable described abuse, corruption, and lack of political freedom in Tunisia under Ben Ali.

Read more about Libya

Read more about Reactions

Read more about Tunisia Conflict