A Dubliner who helped overthrow Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has been elected Mayor of the country's capital, Tripoli.

Mahdi al-Harati is an Irish citizen who lived in Tallaght for over 20 years. He led a rebel group during the Libyan uprising.

Mr Al-Harati's brother-in-law, who is also from Dublin, says he has the support of "mainstream Libyans" and his family are delighted with the news.

Mr Harati (41) is an Irish citizen, who lived in Firhouse for 20 years with his Irish-born wife Eftaima.

He and his brother-in-law travelled back to Libya in 2011 to fight the Gaddafi regime.

After Gaddafi was removed from power, Mr Harati became deputy military chief for Tripoli.

The Irish Independent says he then travelled to Syria and joined the uprising against its President, Bashar al-Assad.

He has now been chosen as leader by the Tripoli Municipal Council, after the vote took place on May 17th.

Originally posted 08:36