Middle East Economic Survey

VOL. LIV

No 23

6-Jun-2011

Libyas Ghanem Surfaces In Italy, Confirming Defection

After keeping everyone guessing his whereabouts and loyalties for over two weeks, Libyas de facto oil minister, National Oil Corporation Chairman Shukri Ghanem, has surfaced in Italy. In a press conference there on 1 June he confirmed his defection from the embattled regime of Libyan leader Colonel Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi.

While he is the second most senior Libyan official to go, after...