Gaddafi's former chief of staff shot in S.Africa

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - The former chief of staff of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has reportedly survived an attack in Johannesburg after he was shot in the stomach on Friday.

Local radio 702 quoted sources on Monday confirming that Bashir Saleh was attacked by five men while driving to his home.

Saleh, who moved to South Africa five years ago after leaving France, was head of Libya’s African portfolio, an independent fund that invested the country's oil wealth across Africa.

The trusted ex-Gaddafi aide is said to have invested over $1 billion in South Africa alone.

Contacted by Anadolu Agency, the South African police declined to comment on the matter.

Libya's Herald newspaper quoted French media as saying Saleh's lawyers based in France had confirmed that he was shot.

"He was rushed to hospital and survived the ordeal," it said, adding: "There was no evidence that the attack was politically motivated"

Saleh used his fund to buy hotels, properties and other investments for the Gaddafi family.

He is wanted by Interpol.