Ex-Libyan oil minister escaped to Malta by fishing-boat last Friday
The Associated Press has reported that Omar Fathi Bin Shatwan, who was Libya’s oil minister until 2007, fled by fishing-boat to Malta from Misurata last Friday. He spoke to AP by telephone from Malta.
Ex-Libyan oil minister says many Gadhafi insiders too scared to defect
By David Stringer, The Associated Press
LONDON — Libya’s former-energy minister said Wednesday that several members of Moammar Gadhafi’s inner circle want to defect, but many are too scared to abandon the dictator fearing the safety of themselves and their families.
Omar Fathi bin Shatwan, who also served as industry minister, told the Associated Press that he had fled by fishing boat to Malta on Friday from the western Libyan city of Misrata.
Shatwan, who left the government in 2007, said he still had contact with some government figures and explained that many feared for their safety. In some cases, their families are under siege, he said.
“Those whose families are outside Libya will flee if they get a chance,” Shatwan said. “But many can’t leave, and all the families of ministers are under siege.”
Shatwan said he had last had contact with Gadhafi in 2006, and had not spoken with the tyrant’s sons since leaving office. “Ministers who are friends of mine, I have spoken to them,” he said.
The 59-year-old said he had spent 40 days at his home in Misrata before escaping from Libya, and witnessed Gadhafi’s forces pounding the city with heavy artillery and relentlessly shooting civilians.
“There has been a big bombardment and there is total destruction,” Shatwan said, speaking by telephone from Malta. “After this, they occupied some streets with tanks, and put snipers in the buildings.”
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The link to the full report:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jWk6vp-Vu5itkQZVVZFoaUbmit-Q?docId=6483055
We have to hear Malta news from abroad? What a shame of a press we have…
Well, if he phoned the AP rather than The Times what do you expect?
[Daphne – They’re more likely to have phoned him.]
So you’re telling me that the fine and upstanding newspapers we have here didn’t get the tips about this news source?
Why do we have newspapers on this effin island?
And they complain that their readership is low. A tip to the newspapers: one half of those who don’t read your drivel is because they are allergic to parochialism and small-minded journalism.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110406/local/gaddafi-writes-letter-to-obama
It reads like one of those Nigerian scam emails.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8433367/Libya-Col-Gaddafis-letter-to-Barack-Obama-in-full.html
How the turmoil in LIbya affects Smart City in Malta:
http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/north-africa-unrest-delays-malta-plans
http://www.smh.com.au/world/gaddafi-nurse-lauds-generosity-of-papa-and-denies-mistress-rumours-20110406-1d4k3.html
The nurse says his health would be the envy of many “despite his age”. He’s a 68-year-old with five nurses.
‘Staff who had worked there for six or eight years had a whole collection (of gold watches)’.
Good, they could set their watches to five minutes before midnight.
As to his (mental) health, it would be wise if he cuts out Nescafe’.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/06/libya-rebels-lockerbie-apology
Is John Dalli still sceptical about what is really going on in Libya?
I think he is mainly worried about his lucrative buisiness becoming obsolete once Gaddaffi loses power.
@ Maria
I don’t think so. The relationship between Dalli and ben Shatwan goes back decades – literally.
Why not stop DILLY DALLIING (pun intended) and get on with recognizing the Benghazi lot?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8432996/Libya-Belarus-mercenary-paid-1900-a-month-to-help-Gaddafi-forces.html
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110406/local/gaddafi-writes-letter-to-obama
“We have been hurt more morally (than) physically because of what had happened against us in both deeds and words by you,” he wrote. “Despite all this you will always remain our son whatever happened. We still pray that you continue to be president of the USA. We Endeavour and hope that you will gain victory in the new election campaigne.”
I think Barack Obama must have been delighted with Gaddafi’s endorsement for re-election just two days after the US President had declared that he would stand for 2012 Presidential election.
As is often the case, we would have to find out news concerning Malta from an overseas news website.
Where are our reporters? Scanning the foreign press?
Omar Fathi Bin Shatwan did not have to tell us this.
Typical of any other murderous dictator and Gaddafi in particular. Perhaps this is what keeps the regime ambassador imprisoned in his Attard mansion.
Beyond belief…………………………The Libyan Dictator is the first person to join Obama’s canvassing team