Libyan Foreign Minister Defects

Moussa Koussa's unexpected arrival in the U.K. is seen as a major blow to the Gadhafi regime.

Koussa was the international voice of Moammar Gadhafi’s government, and when reporters first arrived to cover the conflict in Libya, he gave a robust defence of the regime. However, in recent weeks – as Gadhafi’s forces pounded rebel militias and attacked civilians – Koussa became visibly sheepish in his public appearances. Monday, he finally fled his post and crossed the border into Tunisia. From there he was taken to the U.K., reportedly aboard a British military plane. He is being debriefed by U.K. officials, who are hoping his inside knowledge of Gadhafi’s regime will hasten the end of the dictator’s 41-year rule. With Gadhafi’s military continuing to make gains against the rebels, internal dissent may be the best bet to topple him.