Monday, August 9, 2010

Dealmaker Saif al-Islam Gadhafi


The son of Colonel Muammar Gadhafi knows how to cut a deal. One was with Western powers/oil companies. It resulted in the freeing of the Lockerbie bomber. The Mail reported:
Al Megrahi’s release from a Scottish jail came just a fortnight after Business Secretary Lord Mandelson discussed the case with Saif during a holiday at the home of the Rothschild banking family on the Greek island of Corfu.

Yesterday, Lord Mandelson admitted he held another meeting with Saif in May.

Saif caused further outrage last week by claiming that Al Megrahi’s release was linked to oil and gas negotiations discussed by Tony Blair when he visited Libya as Prime Minister.

Colonel Gaddafi has added to the controversy by thanking the Queen and Gordon Brown for ‘encouraging’ the decision to free the convicted bomber.

Despite Saif Gadhafi's confession to The Mail and Telegraph, American officials haven't asked him, Tony Blair, Lord Mandelson, Gordon Brown or the Queen to testify before Congress. Congress certainly wouldn't offend a Rothschild with such antics.

The second deal with Israel had multiple aspects. First, the Libyan aid ship to Gaza was rerouted to Egypt. In return all aid was transferred to Gaza and Israeli prisoner Rafael Haddad was released. Libya will construct 20 buildings for Gaza residents.

Others badly want to cut deals with Libya. In 2008 The Carlyle Group hosted Saif Gadhafi at the Washington Club. Carlyle part owner Mubadala Investment Corporation and Libya's sovereign wealth fund are looking at BP's assets. It's a small club and Gadhafi is clearly a player.

Update 8-28-11:  Even under new Rebel rule, the convicted Lockerbie bomber is safe from extradition.  A deal's a deal.