8 members of Gaddafi’s family flee Algeria to Egypt

Aisha Gaddafi Algiers – Sufian Si Yusuf Governmental sources confirmed to Arabstoday that “Algerian authorities have made a decision to prevent Gaddafi’s family residing in Algeria from contacting the ‘outside world’ either by using the internet or mobile phones or any other form of communication, in addition to preventing them from participating in any media or political activities. Gaddafi’s family is also not permitted to host any foreign guests or to move around in the country. This came following Aisha’s media appearance on Al Rai TV on Saturday. The same source explained that Gaddafi’s family was informed by the Algerian government’s decision through mediators who rang up the family on Saturday night and asked them to choose between sticking to the new rules and staying in Algeria, or leaving the country. On the other hand, prominent sources revealed that eight members of Gaddafi’s family who are resident in Algeria, and who entered the country on the 29th August, have left Algeria on Saturday night from Houari Boumediene Airport heading to Cairo at 6pm local time on a Egyptian Airlines flight; they however did not mention the names of those who left Algeria, but has not ruled out that Aisha could be one of them, especially following her comments to Al Rai TV on the morning of the same day. Algeria’s Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci condemned her comments and described them as “unacceptable,” stressing that procedures will be taken in order for that not to happen again. Medelci said from New York that “I have received news of the comments made by Aisha to Al Rai TV, and I can’t help but express my surprise at such comments from a lady who was welcomed into Algeria with her family for humanitarian reasons as this contradicts with her duties towards this country.” Added: “I insist that her media appearance is unacceptable by us and a decision will be made so that this does not repeat itself in the future.”  Aisha’s comments very much distressed Algeria especially after they recognized the NTC on Thursday following months of tension between the two countries.