Tunisian Foreign Minister Mouldi Kefi said that he believed Libyan Oil Minister Shokri Ghanem is no longer working for Gaddafi regime, he said in a news conference held in Tokyo, Reuters reported on Monday.

Ghanem, a central figure in the Gaddafi government and the most important energy official, has been a mystery since the Libyan rebels claimed that he had defected. He is widely respected in the industrial ring. The Tripoli government however has denied the claim and said that he was on an official trip to Tunisia, Europe and Egypt since Thursday

Kefi, in Tokyo said, I believe and I suspect Mr. Ghanem just left Libya and that he is not any more working with the Gaddafi regime. Probably that's why he came to Tunisia, to a news conference.

Only God knows what is in Mr. Ghanem's mind he said when asked whether Ghanem plans to travel to other countries. Ghanem was staying in a hotel on a small southern island of Tunisia, he added.

Egypt Tunisia Egypt Tunisia