Ryan J. Reilly April 26, 2011, 11:55 AM

Ali Suleiman Aujali, the former Libyan ambassador to the U.S. who publicly broke with the Qaddafi regime in February, has registered to lobby on behalf of the Transitional National Council Office of the Representative to the United States.

The Transitional National Council Office of the Representative to the United States was formed shortly after Ali abandoned his support of the regime of Muammar Qaddafi. Their registration comes at a time when American politicians like Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) have traveled to Libya in support of the rebels fighting against the Qaddafi regime. On the trip, McCain met with Libya Transitional National Council President Mustafa Abdel Jalil.

According to a recent statement filed with the Justice Department, the Transitional National Council Office of the Representative to the United States “will advocate for the interests of the Transitional National Council and the Libyan people to the U.S. through meetings with U.S. government officials, members of Congress, scholars, policy makers, and other relevant individuals and organizations.”

Their activities “will include speaking engagements hosted by members of Congress, academic institutions, and other organizations as well as media appearances.” Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), persons acting as agents of foreign principals are required to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal.

According to their filings, the council is working with the Harbour Group, a small public relations firm based in D.C. that has also advocated for the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

Additional reporting by Ian Power-Luetscher.

Ali Aujali, LIbya, Muammar Qaddafi