Libya to sue ex-Qadhafi loyalists over ‘misappropriated’ millions

LONDON — Libya is planning to sue seven former aides of Muamer Qadhafi in an effort to recover millions of pounds they allegedly stole and took with them to Britain after the dictator was ousted in 2011.

Mohamed Shaban, who is acting for the Libyan government, criticised Britain for a lack of investigative cooperation and urged it to be more "pro-active".

He said the seven would be sued in a UK civil court.

Among them is Brigadier Guima Elmaarfi, who led Qadhafi's army in Tarhouna, 80 kilometres southeast of Tripoli, Shaban said, confirming a report published by BuzzFeed.

Shaban said the lawsuit would be based on allegations that the seven misappropriated Libyan state funds, laundered the money and misused public office.

He said Libya was not able to file all the necessary legal documentation because of the chaos after the fall of Qadhafi's regime.

"Our position is that the British government should be more pro-active and understand that Libya went through a revolution and is trying to rebuild a state.

"It should decide to support that state and understand that they are not able to complete applications like the United States or France would for example," he said.

According to BuzzFeed, Elmaarfi lives comfortably in a house in southwest London.