Libya

Gaddafi's Security Officer Helped Rebels

While U.N. urges restraint amid abuse claims.

In a tale straight out of a John le Carré novel, Mahmoud Ben Jumaa, a senior official in Gaddafi's personal security force, apparently helped the rebels while in Gaddafi's government, Jumaa said Thursday. Jumaa said he issued orders to arrest rebels by day—but by night, he met secretly with rebels trying to overthrow Gaddafi and reportedly helped direct the rebels through Tripoli. Meanwhile, the United Nations called for restraint on both sides in Libya after reports of abuse by Gaddafi's security forces Thursday night. Earlier Thursday, the U.N. released $1.5 billion in Libyan assets to help the rebels rebuild the country after six months of fighting. Fighting continued in Tripoli as gunfire was reported in the Abu Salim neighborhood, an area loyal to Gaddafi.