Journalist Annick Cojean's book reveals life inside Gaddafi's harem

DEAD Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi had a harem of girls and boys who he violently abused and raped on a daily basis, a shocking new book reveals.

Muammar Gaddafi was regularly used rape as a weapon of war, a new book claims. Picture: AP

DEAD Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi had a harem of schoolgirls who he violently abused and raped on a daily basis inside his Tripoli harem, a shocking new book reveals.

And he also used rape as a weapon of war, often abusing men and boys as well, French journalist Annick Cojean claims.

In her book, Gaddafi's Harem: The Story of a Young Woman and the Abuses of Power in Libya, Cojean tells the story of one victim known as Soraya, who says she was kept as a sex slave inside his Tripoli compound for five years where she was abused and repeatedly raped.

Soraya, who was 15 when she was "chosen" to be part of his harem, reveals how she was even shown porn so she could learn how to pleasure the dictator.

The now 22-year-old says her life changed forever after Gaddafi visited her school near the city of Sirte and she was given the "honour" of presenting him with a bouquet of flowers.

In a move that changed her life forever he patted her head which indicated to his aides he wanted her.

Soon afterwards, Soraya says she was summoned to the Bab al-Azizia compound where she was joined by several other young women who were also abused.

She was eventually allowed home in 2009, but was considered a shame to her family because she had sex outside of marriage.

Le Monde special correspondent Cojean went to Libya in October last year to document the role of Libyan women in the revolution and to probe claims that rape was used as a weapon of war.

She set about trying to find victims and soon came across Soraya who, according to Al Monitor, told her she was abused by Gaddafi.

In another chilling revelation, the book details how his "right-hand man," Mabrouka Sherif was actually a woman who recruited others for the dictator's sick pleasure.

The book has already sold more than 100,000 copies since it was published in French last year and the English translation will be released next month.

Gaddafi was killed after being captured and beaten by rebel forces in October 2011.

Annick Cojean's book has already sold more than 100,000 copies. Picture: Amazon

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