By Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport in Tripoli

Gaddafi challenged journalists to ask Owen his opinion themselves

Libyan FA vice president Al Saadi Gaddafi has claimed that Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen is backing his bid to become the next President of the African Football Federation Caf.

Gaddafi, the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and an international for his country, is hoping to replace current incumbent Issa Hayatou when Caf rules force him to step down.

"Owen said after he knew of my intentions that: 'I hope that Al Saadi will become president of Caf'," Gaddafi said.

"If you don't believe me go and ask Michael Owen yourself."

Gaddafi claimed to also have received backing from 30 countries, although he did not name names, as well as the heads of the European, North American and Asian football federations.

"Some countries had asked me to stand four years ago but I said no due to other commitments," he insisted.

"Now I am a little bit free.

"I have good international support coming from everywhere."

And he claimed that the support he had received was for many different reasons.

"Some of them [support me] because of the developments they have seen in Libyan football," he said.