Col Gaddafi relied on women bodyguards

Tripoli : Libya | Sep 04, 2011 at 7:33 AM PDT

By prabirghose

XX XX

Views: Pending

One of the female bodyguards of Col Gaddafi captured by the Libyan rebels has revealed that the Col used to rely more on his women bodyguards. He had a regular team of three women and, when he left the country, he would pick four additional ones.

This female bodyguard is Aisha Abed El Salaam Ali – she is unmarried, hails from Traghan and joined Gaddafi’s Army in 1984. She holds the rank of lieutenant-colonel in Gaddafi’s army and was one of the highest ranking military officers.

Why Col Gaddafi preferred to have female bodyguards instead of men is a question that he only can answer – was it because he could hide behind the veil of the woman when cornered? Was he playing on the inherent psychology and weakness of man namely, never to attack a woman directly?

1 of 1

gaddafi's women bodyguards

prabirghose is based in Nāshik, Maharashtra, India, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

Report Credibility

Credibility
Reach

More News From: Tripoli : Libya

Post a Comment Comments: 7

Posted By

Surya Gaire | over 1 year ago

That’s the good writing, Keep it up, rated up!

Reply By

prabirghose | over 1 year ago

thanks for the encouragement and the rating ...

Posted By

George Vieto | over 1 year ago

I have never heard of any military or world leader having female bodyguards in my lifetime. Gaddafi was indeed a very smart leader in dealing with his enemies.

Reply By

prabirghose | over 1 year ago

yes ... he has always been an extraordinary character ...

Posted By

mikefreeman | over 1 year ago

Gaddafi reportedly employed a cadre of female bodyguards because he believed that an Arab gunman would have difficulty firing at women and also he loved surrounding himself with young women.

Reply By

prabirghose | over 1 year ago

you could be right to some extent ... or - he might be having more confidence in the prowess of the women to kill as compared to the men ...

News Stories

Want to know why Gaddafi kept female bodyguards? Read on

Daily News & Analysis

One of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's former female bodyguards, who was arrested by the rebels recently, has claimed that the fallen Libyan leader used to keep female guards to project to the world that women in his country had equal rights to their male...
VIDEO: Would Niger take in Col Gaddafi?

BBC

39 ET A large, heavily armed convoy of vehicles carrying cash and gold has crossed Libya's southern border into neighbouring Niger. It is thought key figures close to Col Gaddafi may have been trying to flee the country, though this has been denied...
China admits Gaddafi arms meeting

BBC

China has admitted its state-run weapons manufacturers held talks in July with representatives of Colonel Gaddafi as his forces battled rebels. A spokeswoman said the meetings in Beijing took place without the knowledge of the government...The UN...
VIDEO: Gaddafi home video emerges in Libya

BBC

Col Gaddafi 2005 home video found in Libya 7 September 2011 Last updated at 10:10 ET Home video has emerged that shows Col Gaddafi with members of his family in a tent similar to the one in which he once greeted world leaders, including former UK...
Libya pro-Gaddafi town surrounded

Moreover Silicon Valley

Hundreds of troops loyal to Libya's interim government are closing in on one of ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi's few remaining strongholds. Fighters have moved in on Bani Walid from three sides, warning Gaddafi loyalists to surrender or be attacked.
Teething trouble

BBC

In the first heady days of liberation, Tripoli felt more like a place where an old system had collapsed than a place where a new one was being created...On the other hand, a sense of joy ran through the streets like an electrical current. Just as...