Who represents Libya?

I was curious: who represents Libya in the U.S.? The question arose in my mind in part because of Saif al Islam’s catastrophically miscalculated speech last night. Gaddafi’s heir apparent was trying to imitate the tone of Bahrain’s Crown Prince with the content of Mubarak and Ben Ali. It went over like the proverbial…

The answer is that Libya does not seem to be represented in the U.S. for public relations purposes.  The only agent of the Great Socialist People’s Arab Jamahiriya registered with the Justice Department (in 2008) is the law firm of White and Case LLP.  The contract is limited to legal services in connection with U.S. litigation matters pending against Libya.

I’ve often wondered why foreign governments have PR representation in the U.S., when most of what the PR firms do should be done by embassies.  But Libya obviously needs something more than its embassy if last night’s performance by the heir apparent is the best its authorities can do.  A few of Libya’s diplomats and reportedly the Justice Minister have resigned, Gaddafi has  gone underground and his democracy-touting, LSE-educated preferred son should be in hiding by today too.

The outcome in Libya is still uncertain, but it is not likely to be as peaceful or as consensual as what appears to be happening in Tunisia, Egypt and Bahrain.  While reports are sketchy, it appears demonstrators have seized military supplies, and the regime still maintains tight control of the capital.  Of course net result could also be more definitive than in other places, one way or the other.

The map of Tripoli is courtesy of BBC.  Thank you!