These developments have prompted a flurry of media reports that have hinted at divisions within the Qadhafi family. There has been speculation that a shift in the balance of power towards conservatives has given greater momentum to a younger brother of Saif al-Islam, Mutassim Qadhafi, as a successor to his father. The media reports also prompted an unusual statement from Saif al-Islam, who denied any family rift. In an official statement appended to the records of a meeting in London of the QICDF, he said that "the press reports that have suggested that I've been involved in a power struggle with my brothers behind the scenes in Libya" were nonsense and that he had "an excellent relationship" with his family.

Such a statement certainly gives rise to the suspicion that there is indeed friction between Saif al-Islam and his brothers and perhaps father as well. The publicity-shy Mutassim is known to be close to many of the hardliners in the regime, particularly Mousa Kousa, the foreign minister, and Saif al-Islam's diminished stature will certainly benefit him. Mutassim Qadhafi's official post is national security adviser, which could feasibly have given him the capacity to have orchestrated the clampdown against Al Ghad and the QICDF.

It is likely that Saif al-Islam overstepped the mark. His criticism of the regime and individuals within it was clearly too much too soon for a regime used to controlling all flow of information and brooking no dissent. The hardliners view Saif al-Islam as a threat to their own interests and have clearly been able to build a coalition against him.

However, Saif al-Islam shouldn't be written off. He still holds much sway in the hierarchy, within which the fortunes of personalities ebb and flow. Indeed, it was only in July of last year that reports circulated that Mutassim had been removed from his post, yet six months later, the rumours suggest he is in the ascendancy. Furthermore, Saif al-Islam has bowed out of politics before, only to bounce back and it is likely that he will do so once again; already speculation suggests that he may set up a separate organisation through which he will resume his old reformist activities.