LONDON, 17 July — Seif Al-Islam, son of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, has said that he was against hereditary rule and favored political parties and free press.

Seif Al-Islam, who is chairman of Qaddafi International Foundation for Charitable Societies, claimed that he was the favorite of the Libyan people not because he is the son of Qaddafi but because of his simplicity.

In a wide-ranging interview with Asharq Al-Awsat — a sister publication of Arab News — which took more than an hour, Seif also talked about the wisdom of frugality.

He said he used to spend an average of $15,000 monthly.

In fact, he said, he owes money to a bank in West Tripoli.

"Since 1998, I depend on myself and I don't take any money from my father," he added.

Seif also expressed his opposition to violence.

"I am against violence, but I understand the situation of the Palestinians.

Israel has cornered them and they have no other choice," he said about Palestinians bombers.

Seif owns an engineering office in Tripoli with other partners and two small farms — one for vegetables and fruits and the other for fish.

"The total value of assets which I own would be little more than $1 million." Seif is a well-known artist in Libya and holds a mobile exhibition for Libyan artists.

He won a golden medal from the Institute of Arab World in Paris last February for his paintings.

"For me painting is a hobby not a profession," he said.

He plans to hold an art show in London on July 24.

A graduate of the College of Engineering at Fateh University in Tripoli, he has 30 paintings to his credit.

He said he was against selling paintings.

"So many people have offered to purchase my paintings.

But I will not sell them," he said.

Asked why he was not marrying, Seif, 30, said: "I am still busy with political and social activities." He disclosed that he used to receive love letters from the Arab world, the United States and Europe.

"There was an interesting incident.

When the date of my brother Saedi's marriage was announced, an American girl, who used to send me letters, thought that I was going to marry and threatened to commit suicide.

She was really serious.

Later I was able to convince her that the scheduled marriage was that of my brother." Seif, who is fluent in both German and English, had received a master's degree in economics.

He disclosed plans to publish soon a book named "Stations on the Road of the Predecessors".

Asked what he will do when he meets Osama Bin Laden now, Seif replied: "I will ask him 'where were you hiding all these days.'"