Built in 1837, the 24-foot high dam was used to accommodate barges and power sawmills.

CNN: Study opens floodgates on dam removal

Al-Dam was also a high ranking intelligence official and for decades was the coordinator between Gadhafi and Egyptian leadership.

NPR: Egypt Extradites 2 Gadhafi-Era Officials To Libya

Mr Gaddaf al-Dam is one of several high-profile Libyan figures residing in Egypt who have been pursued by Libyan authorities and the international police body Interpol since the end of the war.

BBC: Gaddafi cousin Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam arrested in Egypt