France Questioning Lebanese Man over Promotion of Gadhafi’s Image

France is investigating a Lebanese businessman on suspicion of money laundering after he landed at a Paris airport with €1.5 million, saying the money was to promote the image of Moammar Gadhafi.

Judicial officials said Ziad Taqieddine was detained upon his arrival from Libya on Saturday.

Taqieddine told customs officials he was in France to start up a communications campaign for the Libyan leader.

The officials said on Monday that Taqieddine had been freed pending a preliminary investigation into suspicion of money laundering and the failure to declare funds.

Two French journalists who had interviewed Gadhafi arrived with Taqieddine but weren't questioned.