By George Grant
Tripoli, 19 May:
Following the decision to dismiss the deputy health minister, Abdel Mohamed Abushofah, on 28 April, Libya’s Integrity . . .[restrict]Commission has now ordered the removal of two further officials from their posts, and rejected the appointment of a third.
Amongst those ruled ineligible to hold their positions by the commission is the Libyan Ambassador to Rome, Abdulhafed Gaddur, who publicly defected from the Qaddafi regime last May.
The commission also announced its decision to dismiss Al-Mehdi Saleh Jerbi from his position at the Libyan Mission to the Unitied Nations, whilst the nomination of Abdul Salam Almaghboob to a Libyan foreign mission was rejected.
The Integrity Commission was established to investigate corruption and links to the Qaddafi regime amongst members of the NTC, the government, and their respective offices and representatives. Those standing for election in June to the National Congress are also meant to be investigated.
In spite of his subsequent defection, Abdulhafed Gaddur was a long-standing representative of the Qaddafi regime, having served as a diplomat in Rome since 1990. The commission has not said whether it was Gaddur’s links to Qaddafi, evidence of corruption or both that led to his dismissal, and further information is not forthcoming at present.
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