Moussa Koussa, Libya Foreign Minister, Defects From Gaddafi Government

LONDON -- Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa arrived in the U.K. on Wednesday and is resigning from his post, Britain's government said.

Moussa arrived from Tunisia at Farnborough Airport, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) southwest of London, the Foreign Office said in a statement, adding that he traveled here under his own free will.

"He has told us that he is resigning his post," the statement said. "We are discussing this with him and we will release further detail in due course."

It was not immediately possible to confirm the statement with Moussa or people close to him.

"We encourage those around (Libyan leader Moammar) Gadhafi to abandon him and embrace a better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people."

Comments

[schoolmaster]

03:04 PM on 03/31/2011

Obviously positioning himself for future administrative position.

[donasanya]

08:14 AM on 03/31/2011

I get it. He's on the CIA payroll now.

[DaveScriv]

08:47 AM on 03/31/2011

No, he's on MI5's payroll.

[European1919]

09:58 AM on 03/31/2011

That would be MI6 actually.

[northstar11]

07:56 AM on 03/31/2011

he is also reported to be the mastermind behind the lockerbie bombing------

[Patrick Shaw]

08:59 AM on 03/31/2011

Now if we could only get OBL to defect....

[European1919]

10:43 AM on 03/31/2011

He used to be in the employ of the US. Maybe they were too stingy.

[thrdr]

06:38 AM on 03/31/2011

Ah yes. Wants to be at the start of the line of post-Empirial-conquest candidates to replace Gaddafi as U.S./NATO-friendly dictator?

[rbenjamin]

07:50 AM on 03/31/2011

Quite possible. Or perhaps somebody tipped him off that Kadhafi knew he was double dealing and he got out while the going was good. Or maybe his office is in a bunker and he knows about bunker busting bombs. So many possible motivations.

[harrymudd]

06:35 AM on 03/31/2011

Good for him. Jumping ship late but not too late. Walls are closing in ...

[Wani Collins]

06:22 AM on 03/31/2011

It took him long enough!

[Whinger]

06:19 AM on 03/31/2011

Moammar's fair weather friend has read the writing on the proverbial wall...!

[Derek Lantin]

05:18 AM on 03/31/2011

Sir

The defection of Mr. Moussa Koussa is certainly a good sign. It is widely thought that a few years ago Mr. Koussa was influential in persuading Gaddafi to drop his belligerent stance and to make amends with the West.

It will probably not be a serious blow to Gaddafi, however. At this stage in the proceedings, it is likely that Gaddafi is only listening to his close family members.

Sincerely, Derek Lantin. http://dereklantin.booksabuzz.com

[Macready]

04:39 AM on 03/31/2011

this should prove very interesting

[DeadHorse]

07:20 AM on 03/31/2011

If this truly was "U.S. dollars at work!" then he would have flown to the U.S. and resigned here. He had a private plane and could, presumably, flown anywhere he wanted.
Sorry that your hatred and cynicism clouds your ability to process information.

[factsaboutchina]

08:10 AM on 03/31/2011

You get an extra point today on your anti-american card. Good for you. P.R.A.T

[lastpost]

04:04 AM on 03/31/2011

“Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa arrived in the U.K. on Wednesday”
If reports of his participation in various nefarious activities over the years are factual. Easily ascertainable under MRI evaluation. Then the only place that could justly consider extending an offer of asylum to him, is Gitmo.

[Derek Lantin]

05:20 AM on 03/31/2011

Actually, I do not blame him for leaving a sinking ship. By leavingnow, he can probably escape prosecution and can probably hold on to his assets in the West. Sincerely, Derek Lantin. http://dereklantin.booksabuzz.com

[Hwamanda]

05:35 AM on 03/31/2011

no he has to face prosecution for Lockerbie

[harrymudd]

06:44 AM on 03/31/2011

That is what he wants. Probably jumped ship just on time.

[Dare Taiwo]

03:49 AM on 03/31/2011

Moussa Koussa was the Chief Intelligence Officer of the Gadhafi Government for 16 years before he became the Foreign Affairs Minister.

It was during his time in the Intelligence Agency that Libya witness its darkest period.

I therefore find it naive of him to think that if Gadhafi goes down today, he could save his skin by the simple act of cowardice of jumping ship and running into exile.

Same goes to some members of the Transition Council in Benghazi who were direct participants in Gadhafi's Administration for over 40years.

If these People think that siding with the Opposition will save them for prosecution, good luck to them.
The Opposition knows who is on their side. In the coming months, the wheat would be separated from the chaff.

[lawrence of america]

01:20 PM on 03/31/2011

You are right. there is nothing that can prevent koussa's fate. ho0wever, the members that are a part of the tnc, are for the most part not associated with bad parts and actions of the regime.

[Eric Sarnoski]

03:27 AM on 03/31/2011

No surprise really , the rats are always the first to jump from a sinking ship. Also it wouldn't suprise me if they were distancing themselves so they will be in a better position to re-emerge under the new government.

[Macready]

04:40 AM on 03/31/2011

I doubt he will be allowed to be part of the new government

[harrymudd]

06:45 AM on 03/31/2011

He is not going to be a part of the new regime. He will keep his head and other parts. Probably get a professorship in some Western university.

[waldopepper]

02:33 AM on 03/31/2011

Is he a modern day Rudolf Hess, sans parachute and Me-110? I seriously doubt it but history sometimes has a pleasantly predictable circularity.