Washington: Microsoft is seeking the
release of its country manager in Libya, who has been in the
custody of the Libyan authorities for two weeks, the US
software giant said.
The Seattle, Washington-based company said Khalid
Elhasumi has been held by the authorities in Tripoli since
March 19 and Microsoft has been working with his family and
international organisations to help get him released.
"We continue our efforts to ensure his safety and
soonest possible release," Microsoft said in a statement.
"We are hopeful that the authorities will release
Khalid soon," said Ali Faramawy, Microsoft's vice president
for the Middle East and Africa.
"We are in close touch with his family and are
actively working to provide support and ensure his safety,"
Faramawy said.
Wael Ghonim, an executive at another US technology
giant, Google, became a prominent voice of the protesters who
eventually secured the ouster of Egyptian president Hosni
Mubarak.
Microsoft, however, said it did not know why its Libya
country manager was being held. "We currently have no
information about the reasons for his detention," it said.
Microsoft said Elhasumi joined the company in 2010 and
manages its operations in Libya which opened in 2006.
PTI
First Published: Friday, April 08, 2011, 00:52