Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/274219
JURGEN BALZAN THE Libyan government is thought to have paid up to €2.8 billion for Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saadi, who was this week extradited from Niger. The son of the ousted despot, is best known for a brief career in Ital- ian football as well as his playboy lifestyle, however the Libyan gov- ernment led by Ali Zeidan suspects that Saadi was behind the deadly clashes in the southern city Sabha in January. The 40-year-old, who is now in custody in Tripoli, fled to Niger af- ter the 2011 uprising, which brought to an end his father's 42-year reign. Libya's southern neighbour kept Saadi Gaddafi under house arrest in the capital Niamey, under the pretence that he would not interfere held in Libya's internal affairs. However, the Libyan government's patience ran out after hundreds died in fierce clashes in southern Libya between tribes, government forces and Gaddafi loyalists. Having evidence of Saadi's hand behind these uprisings, the Libyan government asked for his extradition on the pretext that the agreement with Niger had been breached. Rumours doing the rounds in Tripoli and social networks over the past few weeks, have it that Libya paid up to 5 billion Libyan dinars (€2.8 billion) after having pleaded for his extradition for months. These demands were steadily re- buffed by Niger, who argued that it was harbouring Saadi Gaddafi on humanitarian grounds. However this week, Niger suddenly extra- dited Gaddafi, who was pictured in Tripoli in a blue prison jumpsuit. The Libyan government has not announced any deal with Niger, as it had done on previous occasions, however it is thought that the €2.8 billion deal includes cash payments, investments and other forms of aid. Mauritania deal Since the 2011 uprising, Libya's government has sought the extra- dition of several Gaddafi family members and henchmen, including that of Gaddafi's former intelligence chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, in Janu- ary 2013. Former Libyan deputy prime min- ister Mostafa Abu Shagur, who was in office at the time of al-Senussi's extradition, denied that Libya had paid for it. Instead he had said that a €150 million payment, made months after the extradition, was made in order to assist the Mauritanian economy. Similarly, Libyan government of- ficials denied last year that a €1.4 billion loan to Egypt had anything to do with the extradition of former Gaddafi officials days earlier. However, Gaddafi's cousin and ex-envoy to Egypt, Ahmad Gaddaf- el-Dam, remains in Egypt despite Tripoli's attempts to secure his ex- tradition. Niger also extradited Abdallah Mansur, a former top intelligence official, to Libya in February 2014, however it is thought that no deal was brokered in his case. Mansur was one of 15 other offi- cials sent back to Libya after Niger accused them of plotting against the Ali Zeidan's government. The Gaddafi family Saadi, one of Muammar Gaddafi's seven sons, is accused of shooting protesters and other crimes com- mitted during his father's rule. However, Libya's highest-profile prisoner is Gaddafi's second son Saif al-Islam, who has been held in the mountain town of Zintan since his capture in November 2011. The rest of the family, including Muammar Gaddafi's wife Saifa, his daughter Aisha and sons Muham- mad and Hannibal, were granted political asylum in Oman in 2012, after moving there from Algeria where they found refuge during the civil war. Muammar Gaddafi's other sons, Saif al-Arab and Mutassim, were killed during the revolution, while reports of Gaddafi's youngest son Khamis's death have never been confirmed. jbalzan@mediatoday.com.mt News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 MARCH 2014 Libya reportedly paid some €2.8 billion for Saadi Gaddafi SITUATION VACANT Casa Antonia Nursing & Residential Home The luxurious home offering outstanding service where all the needs of the residents are met. As part of our commitment to excellence, we are seeking to employ enthusiastic and hardworking Care Assistants Waiters Cleaners on part-time basis, possibly leading to a full-time position and/or flexible hours. Internal training will be provided. Interested persons are invited to write to: The Human Resources Manager, Casa Antonia, Nursing & Residential Home, Pope Alexander VII Junction, Balzan BZN 1530. Tel 2149 6277 info@casa-antonia.com.mt Casa Antonia is an equal opportunity employer. THE former Labour minister Joe Debono Grech, now a backbencher, walked out of a governmental public consultation in Gozo, after learning that he was not to be seated at the head table with the minister. The government is currently roll- ing out a roadshow for every single minister and parliamentary secre- tary around Malta and Gozo, field- ing questions from the public on their work and performance. The fiery veteran Debono Grech was recently appointed the Gozo Ministry's consultant on public works. The decision, taken by the Office of the Prime Minister, will mean that the 74-year-old MP gets paid extra over his parliamentary hono- rarium and pension. The Gozo Ministry confirmed he has been re- cruited as a consultant with a salary of "under €12,000 annually". MaltaToday has learnt that dur- ing the public consultation meeting that was to be led by Gozo minis- ter Anton Refalo, Debono Grech learned that he was not to be placed at the head table. During the public consultation meetings, an MP is always invited to participate and take part in the debate, but to do so from the seats reserved for the public. When Debono Grech realised that he would be seated with the public, he left the meeting and, as organis- ers told this newspaper, could not be traced. Debono Grech served as minister in the Mintoff and Sant govern- ments, his responsibilities including agriculture and transport. Joe Debono Grech walks out of public consultation Saadi Gaddafi Joe Debono Grech