Al Jazeera is blogging that senior Libyan officials may have begun defecting

[Godhumor]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-30

From the 8:00 entry

Tunisia's TAP news agency says Libya's foreign minister Moussa Koussa has flown to London from the Tunisian resort of Djerba on Wednesday. He reportedly arrived in Tunisia for a "private visit" on on Monday, TAP said.

Al Jazeera has learned from sources in the Tunisian interior ministry that Koussa may have defected, and is believed to be negotiating passage for himself and his family. European diplomats have told Al Jazeera the same, including that Koussa may also be negotiating a deal for other senior Libyan officials.

[brooklynite]

1. I thought most of them defected two weeks ago...

[Godhumor]

2. These are senior officials in Gaddafi's government

Not exactly the run-of-the-mill guys.

[defendandprotect]

4. Would be great if true -- might cause some fall out in the military --

[kenny blankenship]

14. Perhaps, but very few top Libyan officials remain who could escape crimes against humanity

trials and sentencing.

Expect the hardcore to fight to the bitter end. Increasingly desperate and vicious. They've nowhere to go but up the scaffold at the ICC.

[defendandprotect]

17. The longer any military leaders hang on the more susceptible they become to ICC ...

I think -- ?

They've been warned, I believe --

Guess we really don't know what Gaddafi has left in the way of reg army or

mercenaries -- except that NFZ may prevent them from coming in by air --

but then there's Chad!! Wish there was a way to stop them!!

[defendandprotect]

3. Agree ... and yet some are saying he's negotiation for Gaddafi ...???

[kenny blankenship]

6. those were embassy officials i think

Koussa is a Minister in Gaddafy's government.

[David__77]

11. The ones that matter already defected.

The ones with their hands on the levers of state power - the justice and interior ministers - defected over a month ago. I'm really not sure additional defections matter much. It depends on who it is and how much real coercive state power they held. There was a large pro-Western faction in Gaddafi's government. If nothing else, this whole episode will purge them... not exactly the desired outcome in Western capitals.

[damntexdem]

12. What matters is that it may be a sign that these officials see the end as near.

Hurrah if that is the case.

[Godhumor]

13. Koussa is the foreign minister--not exactly small-time

The initial defections were to be expected--government officials leaving during the action is more akin to escaping a sinking ship. It means Gaddafi's people are getting out while the getting is still good.

[David__77]

15. It's possible.

I just don't think so though. Not yet, anyway. But us cheering or grimacing won't make a bit of difference.

I do think there are some technocrats and liberals in the Gaddafi government who have no intention of sitting in Libya while airstrikes are happening. But if they leave, I just don't think it matters much necessarily. What will topple the Tripoli-based Libyan state? Something involving armed force. That would emanate from the rebels, an internal coup, or both. With the exit of officials to places like London, I do not see that as enhancing the likelihood of coup. Again, I could be wrong. And it does not seem that the rebels have the centralization, discipline, morale, or widespread (geographically) support required to seize power, even with weapons shipments and foreigners serving as their air force.

[Scurrilous]

5. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Godhumor]

7. Bumpity bump bump n/t

[Modern_Matthew]

8. I'm sure the warmongers will find some reason to stay there. nt

[EFerrari]

9. You mean, to go there, right?

[kenny blankenship]

10. CNN reported that Moussa Koussa the Libyan Foreign Minister has definitely resigned and is in London

I suppose it's possible he also brings proposals from other Libyan officials for their defection and future, along with his own defection.
The Libyan government announcement that Koussa was out of the country on a "diplomatic mission" appears contradicted by his statement that he could not represent the Libyan government any longer.

[defendandprotect]

18. Wow -- confirmed -- !! Anyone still interviewing G ... would like to hear his comments on this!!

[Cognitive_Resonance]

16. Inner circle cracking. Good news. nt