Gaddafi 'sold 20% of Libya's gold'

Former Libyan leader Moammer Gaddafi sold gold worth Rs 415 crore, in the final days of his regime, said country's central bank governor

Former Libyan leader Moammer Gaddafi sold gold worth Rs 415 crore, in the final days of his regime, said country's central bank governor

Former Libyan leader Moammer Gaddafi sold more than 20 percent of Libya's gold reserves, worth more than $939.67 million (Rs 415 crore), in the final days of his regime, the country's central bank governor said.

Qassem Azzoz said around 29 tonnes, were sold to local merchants as the regime ran short of cash. "The gold was liquidated in order to pay salaries and to have liquidity, in Tripoli in particular," Azzoz said.


The central bank governor said that Gaddafi sold the gold to
pay salaries. Fighters flash the victory sign after they invade
Gaddafi's stronghold



According to central bank officials the gold likely made its way out of the country to neighbouring Tunisia and beyond.

Meanwhile, Gaddafi's loyalists fired at least 10 rockets from inside one of his last strongholds yesterday, hours after a TV station aired an audio message believed to be from the ousted Libyan leader urging his fighters on.

Smoke billowed from where the projectiles landed in Wadi Dinar, about 12 miles outside the town.

Thousands of fighters for Libya's new leadership have converged on Bani Walid. Officials said a number of prominent regime loyalists, including Gaddafi's son and apparent heir Saif al-Islam, are believed to be inside.

From hiding hours earlier, Gaddafi denied rumours he had fled Libya, vowed never to leave the land of his ancestors and exhorted followers to keep fighting.

Wife to buy resort
The wife of Gaddafi is negotiating to buy a tourist resort in Croatia, a media report said.

Croatian daily Makarska Chronicle said Gaddafi's wife Safia of Bosnian-Croatian origin was planning to buy a resort in Igrani town, which before the division of the former Yugoslavia belonged to a Serbian utility company.
u00a0
The negotiations started when rebel operations to depose Gaddafi intensified and were in an "advanced phase".