Is this the hardest PR job in the city? Gaddafi tries to hire New York public relations firm in bid to improve image

By Fiona Roberts
Updated:


Spin: Colonel Gaddafi is trying to hire a New York PR firm to clean up his image

Spin: Colonel Gaddafi is trying to hire a New York PR firm to clean up his image

It might be the most difficult PR job in New York.

As his country is ripped apart by a bloody civil war and rebels fight to topple him, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is trying to hire a public relations firm to improve his image.

In a bizarre email scouting for candidates, the country's Ministry of Information also claims the NATO strikes were caused by a 'P.R. attack' - rather than the slaughter of innocent protesters.

To fight back, Gaddafi is looking for a spin doctor to issue daily press briefings on his 'moral' and 'legal' claims to power, as hundreds die trying to end his 42-year regime.

Ali Darwish, of the Libyan Ministry of Information, sent the pitch to agencies in New York City and London earlier this month, asking for representatives to 'present our just and fair case to the world'.

He wrote: 'We have good moral, political and legal logic supporting our position as the legitimate, sovereign and popular government of Libya.

'We also have proofs in written, audio and video forms to take our case forward.'

Unrest: Mourners chant slogans during the funeral of Abdel-Fattah Younis, the Libyan rebel military commander who was killed last week

Unrest: Mourners chant slogans during the funeral of Abdel-Fattah Younis, the Libyan rebel military commander who was killed last week

He also attempts to blame the NATO air strikes on negative PR. He wrote: 'Libya has been under an unjustified media and p.r. attack which led to NATO's military involvement.'

The email suggests the government is keen to conceal the plan, the New York Post reports.

It continued: 'We can formalise any deal with your organisation through a third party to help move things forward fast.'

Spin? The email, to London and New York agencies, blames NATO air strikes, like this one on Tripoli in June, on an 'unjustified media and p.r. attack'

Spin? The email, to London and New York agencies, blames NATO air strikes, like this one on Tripoli in June, on an 'unjustified media and PR attack'

According to an official at the Libyan Mission in New York, the email is legitimate. 

Dia Abubaker Alhutmany said: 'The government is trying to have the support of people outside the country.'

Ronn Torossian, of public relations firm 5WPR, described the pitch as 'very unorthodox' and said: 'I highly doubt any PR firm will positively respond to this request.'

Most watched News videos