Qaddafi lends a hand to country's poor

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

Seif al-Islam al-Qaddafi, the son of Libyan president Moammar Qaddafi, said on Wednesday that his visit to Indonesia had a social mission: to identify and support a number of local development projects, particularly those with a humanitarian focus.

During his two-day visit here, Qaddafi paid a visit to Cilumbung village in Bogor, West Java, to distribute some 5,000 packages of staple foods for the needy.

The al-Qaddafi International Association for Charitable Organizations, which he chairs, is expected to help 16,000 poor people in Jakarta, Bogor and Bandung.

"I convey this donation from Libya to our brothers in Indonesia," said Qaddafi, as quoted by Antara.

Libyan Ambassador to Indonesia Ali al-Mabruk said Qaddafi's visit to Indonesia aimed to help the needy as well as to congratulate President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla on their election victory.

Ali said Qaddafi did not bring any special message from his father.

Separately in Jakarta, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab said he would introduce Qaddafi to a number of humanitarian projects later in the day.

"It's an initial discussion ... We do not yet know of their plans, but we'll present a few humanitarian projects that could use their help," he told reporters after a ministerial meeting.

Alwi declined to identify any of the projects he would bring up in his meeting with Qaddafi.

Qaddafi also met with Susilo, Kalla and foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda.