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| Africa North |
| Jalloud Plans Role in Future Libyan Government; Will Form Political Party |
| 2011-08-27 |
| [Tripoli Post] Former Muammar Al Qadaffy ...a proud Arab institution for 42 years... aide and prime minister in the first years of the First of September Revolution in Libya, Abdelsalam Ahmad Jalloud proved tripolipost.com right when last night he announced that he was planning to have a role in a future Libyan government. In a presser in Rome, Jalloud said he is forming a secular political party with an eye towards future elections in Libya. When weeks ago Rebel spokesperson Mahmoud Shammam broke the news that 67-year-old Jalloud had 'defected', this website said: "Now, with the rebels so close to eventual victory, many people close to the NTC leadership seem to believe that Jalloud still could have a part to play in a new Libya after Al Qadaffy. He has the experience and also world-wide connections that sources close to him say he has continued to foster. "It seems that he could have been persuaded that he has a role to play in forming the base of a new leadership for Libya as, with Al Qadaffy out of the scene, he could become a valued adviser. He knows the ropes and what it takes to build the trust a new Libyan government." Once one of Al Qadaffy's closest allies, Jalloud beat feet to Rome with his family a few days ago . He said at the time that he was supporting whole-heartedly the rebels. Now he said he is ready to take part in the transition phase in Libya and resuscitate himself in politics. Jalloud, a popular figure who fell out of favour with the Libyan strongman in the mid-1990s, served in the role of prime minister of Libya in the Al Qadaffy government for five years, between July 1972 and March 1977. Jalloud, who decamped Libya along with 13 members of his family, in a statement on Al Jizz on Sunday, called on Al Qadaffy's tribe to disown him, saying the "tyrant" Al Qadaffy will go. "The noose has tightened around him." Jalloud had been increasingly distanced from politics starting in the 1990s following a reported fallout with his childhood friend, whom along with other members of the Free Officers Movement in 1969, led a bloodless coup and pushed Al Qadaffy to power. He has had contacts with the leaders of the National Transitional Council, and had received their approval to encourage Libyans to rebel against Al Qadaffy and mobilise support abroad. While not part of the NTC, Jalloud said they were "in the same boat" and that he plans to form a secular, liberal, nationalist party. Jalloud who said he tried to escape Libya six times by sea and 12 times by land during recent months, believes it was too late for Al Qadaffy to strike a deal to leave power and he would likely be killed. Italian media has speculated he was finally able to get out only with the assistance of foreign diplomats or intelligence agents, or the help of Italian oil company ENI. Jalloud insisted however that he is not beholden to anyone. "I am a free person, completely independent. I don't owe anything to Italia, or Russia, or La Belle France," he said in response to a question from AFP. |
| Posted by:Fred |