USA denies cooperation deal with Libya

14 March 2007

[BBC, Reuters, AFP, 13 March] Libya's official new agency, Jana, reported that the USA would help the north African country to develop a nuclear power industry as part of a new agreement. According to the agency, the Libyan Cabinet had given the Foreign Ministry permission to sign an agreement regarding US-Libyan cooperation for peaceful nuclear energy for water desalination and to generate electricity. It stated that an agreement would be signed shortly. Sanctions were lifted after Libya ended its nuclear weapons program in 2003, and the USA and UK have since resumed diplomatic ties. Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has said that the country was not adequately compensated for ending its nuclear weapons program, claiming that the USA and UK had a duty to help Libya develop civilian nuclear power plants. However, Tom Casey, deputy spokesman for the US State Department, said that there is "no formal pending nuclear cooperation agreement with Libya on nuclear power plants or any other nuclear issues." He added, "We are in discussions with the Libyans regarding a project to help them develop a nuclear medicine centre, and that is the only thing you could use the word 'nuclear' in relation to past agreements." Casey did confirm, however, that the Libyan government had tried to seek US assistance with developing a nuclear power plant.

Further information

WNA's Appendix to Safeguards to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation information paper

WNN: Invap to upgrade Libyan research reactor