Halifax, Canada (ANTARA News/AFP) - A fair trial for Moamer Kadhafi`s one-time heir apparent Seif al-Islam is "critical" to show the new government`s legitimacy, the Canadian general who led NATO`s Libya mission said Saturday.

"Seif was (Kadhafi)`s number one son... and was (among) the most involved in bringing violence to the people," said Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, who was commander of the NATO military mission in Libya.

"His arrest is critical in that it helps this country bring closure. But it`s also critical that he gets a fair trial," he told reporters at a defense summit.

"It`s imperative for Libya to show (to the world and to their own people) their ability to exercise legitimacy through the proper conduct of law and order and a fair trial."

A senior National Transitional Council official confirmed earlier that Kadhafi`s last fugitive son had been arrested in southern Libya.

Bouchard`s plea came amid growing calls for Libya to surrender Seif and cooperate with the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant against him in June on charges of crimes against humanity in crushing anti-regime protests.

Kadhafi himself was killed on October 20 when forces of Libya`s new regime captured his hometown of Sirte.

Bouchard was speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum set to run through Sunday. It gathers together 300 defense ministers, legislators, academics and others from around the world. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011