The French and Libyan ambassadors held regular “discreet” meetings in the past six months with the knowledge of the Maltese government as war raged in Libya, it was revealed yesterday.
With former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on the run and the rebels almost in total control of the country, more details are emerging of the covert role Libyan Ambassador Saadun Suayeh played throughout the crisis.
French Ambassador Daniel Rondeau and Dr Suayeh yesterday confirmed they held regular meetings at Mr Rondeau’s private residence in Żebbuġ to discuss the Libyan conflict, the regime and the humanitarian situation. Dr Suayeh said it was a difficult period for him and insisted he represented Libya and its people not the regime.
Last week, Dr Suayeh admitted having a low-key meeting with National Transitional Council officials in Malta before the regime crumbled and had also been involved “behind the scenes” in helping the revolution.
Mr Rondeau yesterday was the first ambassador to visit the Libyan Embassy in Balzan after the Libyan independence flag was hoisted on the building last week when rebels overran Tripoli.
Speaking at the entrance of the embassy, Mr Rondeau also revealed that he held talks with the rebel leader responsible for Misurata when the city was besieged by Gaddafi forces.
The rebel leader, who was identified as General Ramadan, had stopped in Malta on his way to Paris. The discussions focused on the humanitarian aid that could be ferried to Misurata.
The Maltese government was aware of the talks and had also facilitated the transit of the rebel Misurata leader.
“I would like to wish all the best to a rising free Libya and extend my friendship to the ambassador... we kept in touch over the past six months and met discreetly,” Mr Rondeau said when asked the reason for his visit.
He was warmly embraced by Dr Suayeh, who thanked France for its prominent role in supporting the revolution.
“He (Mr Rondeau) is the first ambassador to visit us after liberation and France was the first country to come to our assistance,” Dr Suayeh said.
The Libyan Ambassador said he had visited Mr Rondeau for talks and “advice” since it was a difficult time for him, also because Malta had not yet fully recognised the NTC and he still had to fly the green flag, a symbol of the Gaddafi regime.
Dr Suayeh sported a lapel pin on his chest depicting a map of Libya decked in the colours of the independence flag.
The barbed wire along the embassy’s outer perimeter has been removed although police barriers still block the pavement just across the road from the building.