Hannibal Qaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, is set to be released after 10 years in custody in Lebanon, a senior Lebanese official told The National.
Mr Qaddafi had his $11 million bail reduced to $900,000 and had his travel ban removed, the Lebanese official said.
The judge's ruling means Mr Qaddafi can leave Lebanese territory immediately after paying the bail, which he is expected to do on Friday. The Lebanese official said it was unclear where he will travel next.
The Tripoli-based Libyan government said he had been released.
Mr Qaddafi is accused of withholding information about the fate of Musa Al Sadr, an influential Lebanese Shiite cleric who disappeared during a trip to Libya in 1978. Mr Qaddafi was two years old at the time.
A senior Libyan delegation this week met top Lebanese officials in Beirut in a bid to secure a release for Mr Qaddafi, who had been held without trial since 2015. The news of his release was first reported by the Tripoli-based Libyan government and later confirmed by the Lebanese judiciary.
A statement by the Government of National Unity in Tripoli praised the “responsiveness shown by the Lebanese authorities” and the “understanding” shown by President Joseph Aoun and Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri.
Lebanon last month ordered that Mr Qaddafi be released on bail of $11 million, an amount his lawyers said he could cannot afford. He earlier went on a hunger strike over his treatment.
The Libyan delegation visiting Beirut this week was led by Ibrahim Dbeibah, a nephew of Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who is the Prime Minister of the Tripoli government.
A Libyan official told The National this week that Mr Qaddafi might be released as part of a deal “to build again the diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Libya”.
The Tripoli government's statement welcomed the “intentions expressed by the Lebanese leadership to reactivate diplomatic relations between the two countries”.
Lebanese-Libyan relations had long been strained over the disappearance of Mr Al Sadr.
Mr Berri leads the Amal Movement founded by Mr Al Sadr, whose disappearance still evokes strong emotions in Lebanon nearly 50 years later.
Mr Qaddafi fled Libya in 2011 amid protests that ended his father's 42-year rule. The son was living in exile in Syria with his Lebanese wife Aline Skaf and their children when he was abducted and taken to Lebanon.
He was later handed over to Lebanese authorities by a local armed group and has been detained since.
Meydan card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
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- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
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Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
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Key findings of Jenkins report
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Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
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- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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