Gaddafi's private pilot has fled Libya

[tabatha]

57-year-old Odd Birger Johansen for the last year has been the pilot of the private jet of Colonel Gaddafi. Until yesterday, he was in Tripoli, together with his wife and daughter that had chosen this unhappy moment to visit him for a holiday in Libya.

Yesterday, he spoke to the private Norwegian broadcaster 'TV2', saying he wanted to evacuate Libya as soon as possible. "Right now, the way I feel it, is that things are burning around me ... and I don't want to ... I am not a hero, I will go home," Mr Johansen told the broadcaster.

The interview was picked up by international media, including afrol News, causing even greater fears for the Norwegian family.

The pilot's wife, Kristin Haftorn Johansen, today told the Norwegian daily 'VG' that she feared Libyan security police could want to pick up the family after the world press reported over her husband's desire to desert the Libyan dictator.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/libya/gaddafi-s-private-pilot-has-fled-libya

[tekisui]

1. The article says the private jet is grounded. Could it be that no one else

close to Gaddafi is capable or willing to fly it? He is growing increasingly cornered by the hour.

[Mz Pip]

2. Maybe Gaddafi

will try to fly it on his own. The guy is arrogant and crazy enough to try it. How hard can it be. All you need is an umbrella, a crazy hat and a uniform and you can do anything.

It worked for 40 years. :shrug: