UK questions Libyan foreign minister

Gerald · 03-31-11, 02:10 AM

Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa has been questioned by officials after arriving in the UK unexpectedly late on Wednesday.

He flew in from Tunisia. The UK Foreign Office said he was "no longer willing" to work for Colonel Gaddafi.

However a Libyan spokesman denied that Mr Moussa had defected and said he was on a diplomatic mission.

His arrival in the UK comes as Libyan rebels retreat from former strongholds along the eastern coast.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12917315

Note: 31 March 2011 Last updated at 06:40 GMT

Herr-Berbunch · 03-31-11, 05:56 AM

Small world, Moussa Koussa is a friend of a friend (who lives in my village, throws damn good cheese and wine parties, and supplied parts to the oil industry in Libya - his business is now non-existant).

Two things made me laugh, last night the BBC's Political Editor, Nick Robinson, claimed Koussa had landed at Farnborough, a military airfield and so must've had military assistance. Bollocks, Farnborough has more civillian aircraft there now than it's ever had military aircraft, even at the hight of testing! MoD left there years ago, Qinetiq took over, and now TAG Aviation.

Moussa Koussa flew from Libya - well the no fly zone is holding-up well then!

Edit: Strike that last bit, I've just read the word Tunisia!

Gerald · 03-31-11, 06:08 AM

UK will "pump" him for information, and a diplomatic mission sounds far-fetched

Castout · 03-31-11, 06:42 AM

I think agents might have helped his 'escape' maybe can never be sure.

Gerald · 03-31-11, 01:36 PM

The UK says it has not offered immunity from prosecution to Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who reportedly defected when he flew to Britain on Wednesday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12917315

Note: Update Record,31 March 2011 Last updated at 16:17 GMT

03-31-11, 01:43 PM

Does anyone remember the defection of this guy and how useful he was to the effort? Defections aren't always wothwhile.

Gerald · 04-01-11, 08:43 AM

London Mayor Boris Johnson has said that if there was the "slightest evidence" that Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa was involved in the Lockerbie bombing, he should face trial. Koussa arrived in Britain on Wednesday and is said to have defected.

Prime Minister David Cameron said Mr Koussa's apparent defection told "a compelling story of the desperation and the fear at the very top of the crumbling and rotten Gaddafi regime".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...me/9443016.stm

Note: Update Post,1 April 2011 10:54 UK

Herr-Berbunch · 04-01-11, 08:47 AM

Paraphrasing:

Cameron 1 - we want more Libyan members of government to defect.

Cameron 2 (in the same speech) - we will not offer any immunity.

So if I was in the Libyan government right now that wouldn't make me want to come to Britain.

Gerald · 04-02-11, 08:00 AM

The UK is still seeking information from ex-Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who fled to London on Thursday, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said.

Asked what should happen now to Mr Koussa, Dr Fox told the BBC he would not provide daily updates but "clearly we want to get information from him".

He said he wanted the message to reach the Libyan regime that its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, should go.

Mr Koussa told officials he was no longer willing to represent the regime.

Scottish prosecutors have asked to interview Mr Koussa about the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, which left 270 people dead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12945478

Note; Update Record,2 April 2011 Last updated at 09:47 GMT

03-31-11, 02:10 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	UK questions Libyan foreign minister Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa has been questioned by officials after arriving in the UK unexpectedly late on Wednesday. He flew in from Tunisia. The UK Foreign Office said he was "no longer willing" to work for Colonel Gaddafi. However a Libyan spokesman denied that Mr Moussa had defected and said he was on a diplomatic mission. His arrival in the UK comes as Libyan rebels retreat from former strongholds along the eastern coast. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12917315 Note: 31 March 2011 Last updated at 06:40 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

03-31-11, 05:56 AM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Small world, Moussa Koussa is a friend of a friend (who lives in my village, throws damn good cheese and wine parties, and supplied parts to the oil industry in Libya - his business is now non-existant). Two things made me laugh, last night the BBC's Political Editor, Nick Robinson, claimed Koussa had landed at Farnborough, a military airfield and so must've had military assistance. Bollocks, Farnborough has more civillian aircraft there now than it's ever had military aircraft, even at the hight of testing! MoD left there years ago, Qinetiq took over, and now TAG Aviation. Moussa Koussa flew from Libya - well the no fly zone is holding-up well then! Edit: Strike that last bit, I've just read the word Tunisia! __________________ Last edited by Herr-Berbunch; 03-31-11 at 06:33 AM.

03-31-11, 06:08 AM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	UK will "pump" him for information, and a diplomatic mission sounds far-fetched __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

03-31-11, 06:42 AM	#4
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	I think agents might have helped his 'escape' maybe can never be sure. __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

03-31-11, 01:36 PM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	No UK immunity for Libya minister The UK says it has not offered immunity from prosecution to Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who reportedly defected when he flew to Britain on Wednesday. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12917315 Note: Update Record,31 March 2011 Last updated at 16:17 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

03-31-11, 01:43 PM	#6
The Third Man Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Does anyone remember the defection of this guy and how useful he was to the effort? Defections aren't always wothwhile.

04-01-11, 08:43 AM	#7
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Johnson: 'Any Lockerbie proof should see Koussa tried' London Mayor Boris Johnson has said that if there was the "slightest evidence" that Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa was involved in the Lockerbie bombing, he should face trial. Koussa arrived in Britain on Wednesday and is said to have defected. Prime Minister David Cameron said Mr Koussa's apparent defection told "a compelling story of the desperation and the fear at the very top of the crumbling and rotten Gaddafi regime". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...me/9443016.stm Note: Update Post,1 April 2011 10:54 UK __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

04-01-11, 08:47 AM	#8
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	Paraphrasing: Cameron 1 - we want more Libyan members of government to defect. Cameron 2 (in the same speech) - we will not offer any immunity. So if I was in the Libyan government right now that wouldn't make me want to come to Britain. __________________

04-02-11, 08:00 AM	#9
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Libya: Gaddafi aide Moussa Koussa faces more questions The UK is still seeking information from ex-Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who fled to London on Thursday, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said. Asked what should happen now to Mr Koussa, Dr Fox told the BBC he would not provide daily updates but "clearly we want to get information from him". He said he wanted the message to reach the Libyan regime that its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, should go. Mr Koussa told officials he was no longer willing to represent the regime. Scottish prosecutors have asked to interview Mr Koussa about the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, which left 270 people dead. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12945478 Note; Update Record,2 April 2011 Last updated at 09:47 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie