Ali Zeidan was born in 1950, and grew up in the town of Waddan.
He served as a diplomat for Libya during the 1970s, serving in India under Ambassador Mohammed Magariaf.
Both men defected in 1980 and went on to form the National Front for the Salvation of Libya.
Zeidan spent nearly three decades in exile in Geneva after the defection.

During the revolution, Zeidan served as the National Transitional Council's Europe envoy, and is credited for playing a key role in persuading French President Nicolas Sarkozy to support the anti-Gaddafi forces.
Ali Zeidan was born in 1950, and grew up in the town of Waddan. He served as a diplomat for Libya during the 1970s, serving in India under Ambassador Mohammed Magariaf. Both men defected in 1980 and went on to form the National Front for the Salvation of Libya. Zeidan spent nearly three decades in exile in Geneva after the defection.
During the revolution, Zeidan served as the National Transitional Council's Europe envoy, and is credited for playing a key role in persuading French President Nicolas Sarkozy to support the anti-Gaddafi forces.
Ali Zeidan