Oil Chief Leaves Libya As Regime Is Targeted

Reported Defection Signals Tensions in Gadhafi's Circle

By RICHARD BOUDREAUX in Tripoli, Libya and ALEX DELMAR-MORGAN in Doha, Qatar

Libya's top oil official has left his embattled country, and Col. Moammar Gadhafi's regime has lost contact with him, the Libyan government spokesman said Tuesday following a rebel official's report that the executive had defected.

A defection would make Shokri Ghanem, the chairman of Libya's National Oil Corp. and a former prime minister, one of the most prominent figures to abandon the regime since the start of an antigovernment uprising three months ago.

Analysts said the departure was the clearest sign in weeks that Col. Gadhafi, formally accused of war crimes and facing aerial attacks by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is losing support in the senior ranks of his regime.

NATO airstrikes early Tuesday hit two government buildings in Tripoli, including the Interior Ministry, setting them on fire. Three powerful blasts had been heard in Tripoli the previous night.Britain's Defense Ministry said late Monday an intelligence agency building and a training base for bodyguards for the regime's elite had been hit.

Western officials have said they hoped pressure from the bombing campaign would erode support within Col. Gadhafi's inner circle and force him from power. NATO said Tuesday that it had also stepped up efforts to encourage Gadhafi forces to desert, using radio messages and dropping leaflets advising people to stay away from military equipment and facilities.

NATO said Tuesday that it had also stepped up efforts to encourage Gadhafi forces to desert, using radio messages and dropping leaflets advising people to stay away from military equipment and facilities.

If I were of the supporting forces and despite my unwavering devotion, I think there would be that little voice saying... "Hey man, maybe we should just go home and let this play out". I guess this stems from my own "fight or flight" resonance and determining which battles I would have a chance at winning.

In this case, I don't think these supporters have a chance and even if their motivations are due to misconceived notions and beliefs, I give them credit for their devotion. As well, I give the same to the rebels.

Which makes this one question the motivations all the way around in the grand scheme of "all of this" turmoil in not only the ME but, everywhere. Interesting times are upon us I feel.

reply to post by UberL33t

Shokri Ghanem, the chairman of Libya's National Oil Corp.

What a shock..
Head of the oil corp leaving the ship..

Hell, he was probably at the last bilderberg meeting planning the whole thing with Exxon and Shell..

reply to post by backinblack


I wouldn't for a second discount that notion. "Follow the money" as they say.

reply to post by backinblack


Considering Libyan officials are being targeted by NATO, wouldn't this be your natural reaction?