Gaddafi's spy chief to be put on trial in Libya

The International Criminal Court has decided to hand the war crimes case of one of the most prominent members of dictator Muammar Gaddafi's regime back to Libyan authorities.

Pre-trial judges have ruled Libyan authorities are "willing and able" to prosecute former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi for alleged crimes against humanity over the murder and persecution of protesters in the early days of the uprising that eventually toppled Gaddafi in 2011.

Under international law, a country has the first right and obligation to try suspected war crimes cases at home.

Earlier, judges had resisted remanding the cases of al-Senoussi and Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam, saying Libya's legal system wasn't stable enough. Both men are being held in Libya.

AP