Libyan ambassador may resign ‘for health reasons’

The Libyan Ambassador to Malta, Saadun Suayeh, is mulling resigning for health reasons but he insists he has not yet taken the decision.

Dr Suayeh said when contacted that his health was not serving him well and that if he had to take such a decision “it would be entirely mine”.

He was asked to react to a report on a local news portal which claimed the Libyan National Transitional Council had asked him to resign.

Malta Today was quoting Italian media which yesterday said Dr Suayeh had been ordered to relinquish his post by the end of the month because the interim government wanted to appoint someone else instead.

Describing the stories as “a blatant lie, unethical and an instance of bad journalism”, Dr Suayeh insisted he was still performing his duties as Libyan Ambassador to Malta.

“I didn’t speak to the NTC, or anybody. I am still performing my duties as Ambassador of Libya to Malta. When and if, I submit my resignation I will declare it in a press release. Such rumours are bad. The Foreign Ministry (in Malta) has not received any indication from me. If I decided to do so it will be known in due time,” he said initially.

When pressed further, Dr Suayeh finally gave in and said: “It could be for health reasons but (there is) nothing official yet and nothing to do with NTC or anyone. If such a decision is taken it will be entirely mine.”

Dr Suayeh, who turns 65 in May, insisted he had not yet taken any decision on his future.

“When I decide I will let the Maltese authorities know and it will be done properly and very quietly... but, as yet, no decision has been taken,” he said.

The Italian media quoted Karim Ben Gharsa, deputy president of the Libyan community in Italy, saying he was satisfied the NTC had demanded that Libya’s ambassadors to Malta, Italy, the US, Jordan and the Arab League relinquish their posts.

Libya’s ambassador to Italy, Abdulhafed Gaddur, who was based in Rome, resigned his post earlier this week quoting “personal matters” as the reason for his departure.

Dr Suayeh said he had not been in contact with any of the people mentioned in the Italian reports. He had not spoken to Ambassador Gaddur and he insisted what Mr Ben Gharsa was saying was not true.

“I contacted none of the people mentioned in the report,” he said.

Libyan Ambassador to Malta Saadun Suayeh is refuting claims he was asked by the NTC to relinquish his post. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi