Africa News
PROFILE: Provisional rebel government leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil
Mar 10, 2011, 14:17 GMT
Benghazi/Istanbul - Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the leader of Libya's provision rebel government, was born 1952 in Al Baida, one of the first cities to rise against the regime of Moamer Gaddafi.
After studying law and Islamic jurisprudence in Benghazi, he embarked on a legal career, culminating in his appointment in 2007 as minister of justice.
He resigned this position on February 20 in protest at the use of live fire against anti-government demonstrators, the first cabinet minister to take such a step.
Shortly afterwards, the rebels in the east of the country elected him as the leader of their provisional government, which they call the Libyan National Council.
Abdel Jalil is not the kind of person to pose for revolutionary photographs firing a Kalashnikov into the air.
He is considered a conservative and devout Muslim, not a radical Islamist. He can often be seen wearing a 'shanna,' the traditional burgundy coloured wool cap used by Libyan men.
In classified US diplomatic cables leaked recently by the website Wikileaks, he is described as open and cooperative.
Abdel Jalil was quoted in the cables as saying that Islamic terrorism emerged because many Muslims believed the United States and Europe were against them.
The Libyan government has placed a bounty of half a million dinars, roughly 400,000 dollars, for his capture.
The opposition has vowed to fight back, despite unconfirmed reports of deaths and injuries caused by air and ground attacks in several parts of the country.
'We have two options: Either freedom and access to development, or slavery under the feet of the tyrant Moamer Gaddafi,' read a statement posted on the website of the Benghazi-based rebels.
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