TRIPOLI, 13 March 2007 — The United States is to help Libya to build a first nuclear power plant under an accord to be signed soon, in another sign of warming ties, the official JANA news agency reported yesterday. The Libyan Parliament or General People’s Committee gave its approval on Sunday for the Foreign Ministry to sign the deal, JANA said.
“The GPC authorized on Sunday the GPC for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation to sign the agreement related (to) the Libyan-American cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy offered by the United States,” it said in an English-language dispatch.
“The agreement aims at establishing a nuclear station in Libya to produce electricity, desalting water, and developing the radiochemistry performance at energy researches center.” There was no immediate confirmation from Washington of the proposed deal.
The draft agreement approved by MPs on Sunday provides for Libyan students to receive training in nuclear technology in the United States and for the establishment in Libya of a regional center for nuclear medicine, the news agency said. Libya was long accused by Western governments of seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction.
But in late 2003 Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi renounced all attempts to develop a nonconventional arsenal, clearing the way for the restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States in May last year.
The proposed agreement between the United States and its longtime enemy Libya comes as Washington intensifies its campaign against the nuclear program of its arch-foe Iran.
Iran’s program, which the Islamic republic insists is entirely peaceful, has prompted a number of Arab states to announce plans to work on civil nuclear energy, including Egypt and the six oil-rich Gulf states.
Earlier this month, Qaddafi complained that Libya had not been adequately compensated for abandoning nuclear weapons.
“Libya has not been properly compensated, so other countries, like Iran and North Korea, will not follow his lead,” the Libyan leader said in an interview with the BBC. “Libya is disappointed because the promises given by America and Britain were not fulfilled,” he said.
