Libya: Rebels Sign Contract with DC PR Firm

The National Transitional Council has signed up with the Harbour Group, a well-connected DC-based public relations firm, according to Justice Department records. The firm, which is working pro-bono, aims to gain US recognition of the rebel council, in addition to encouraging US humanitarian aid to Libya and freezing the assets of Libyan ruler Muammar Gadhafi in order to pay for that aid. To this end, Harbour will “help prepare speeches, press releases and op-eds, contact reporters and think tanks and develop a website and social media for the council.”

The contract is currently under Justice Department review. While the article declares, “Unrest in the Middle East has led to more business for K Street,” citing recent deals with the Bahraini government, among others, Harbour professes different motives. According to Richard Mintz, Harbour’s managing director, “It’s the right thing to do.”