Gaddafi son flies in for hunting, fishing

WILL MALLINSON

SPECIAL FLIGHT: A man believed to be Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif (dressed in blue), boards a chartered Air New Zealand Dash-8 with his entourage for a flight to Queenstown.

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JET SETTER: Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi is the second son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi .

WILL HINE? The Southland Times

MYSTERY GUESTS: An entourage believed to include Saif al Islam al Gaddafi leaves Queenstown Airport.

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A son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi arrived in Christchurch by private jet yesterday before heading to Queenstown.

A group, believed to include Saif al Islam al Gaddafi, boarded a chartered Air New Zealand Dash-8 aircraft at Christchurch Airport after arriving in a Libyan Airbus.

London-based Saif Gaddafi, who is the second son of the North African ruler, was involved the controversial release of Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi this year.

However, the private jet carrying Saif Gaddafi was not the same aircraft that ferried the bomber from Scotland to the Libyan capital Tripoli in August.

A witness said Saif Gaddafi, 37, arrived in Christchurch about 9.20am yesterday on an A340 aircraft before flying on to Queenstown.

The witness said Gaddafi was among 12 people processed by immigration officials before the group headed south for what was believed to be a hunting and fishing holiday.

The Dash-8 touched down in Queenstown at 12.20pm, to be greeted by aviation security services and an airport police officer.

Passengers were met on the tarmac by a Mercedes four-wheel-drive and Lexus sedan, which left the airport via a side gate.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed a member of the Gaddafi family was visiting New Zealand, but would not provide details.

He said a visa had been approved because the applicant met all the requirements.

Sergeant Steve Watt, of the Queenstown police, was not aware of any extra security assistance being offered to the group.

Saif Gaddafi was instrumental in securing Megrahi's release from a Scottish prison, accompanying him on the flight home.

Megrahi was convicted of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, in which 270 people died, but was released this year because he had terminal cancer.

Following Megrahi's release, Saif Gaddafi sparked controversy by saying the release negotiations were influenced by trade deals between Libya and Britain.

However, he maintained the final decision was made on compassionate grounds.

Described as a "powerful mover and shaker in Libya and abroad" by The Guardian newspaper, Gaddafi is an Anglophile, architect and artist.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes said he had no concerns about Gaddafi's visit to the South Island resort.

"If he qualifies for visa entry into New Zealand, then he's just like anyone else and more than welcome."

It was understood Gaddafi was leaving New Zealand on January 4.

Queenstown has had several international arrivals this month, including a Bombardier jet belonging to retail giant Westfield.

It is understood billionaire founder Frank Lowy, the second richest man in Australia, is on holiday with his family in Queenstown.