Plastic explosives found in weapons cache at Libyan embassy in Greece

Plastic explosives found in weapons cache at Libyan embassy in Greece

Special to WorldTribune.com ATHENS — Greece has acquired a weapons cache left over from the former Libyan regime of Col. Moammar Gadhafi. Officials said the Libyan embassy in Athens transferred a large amount of weapons and explosives to Greek authorities. Police said the Libyan arsenal was comprised of two submachine guns, 30 pistols, two hand […]

Libyan oil ouput for major firm nearing pre-revolt levels

Libyan oil ouput for major firm nearing pre-revolt levels

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — A Western energy major has been increasing Libya’s crude oil production. Italy’s Eni reported that it was progressing toward reaching crude oil and natural gas output levels of those before the revolt against Libyan Col. Moammar Gadhafi in early 2011. Eni said its production in Libya has reached 240,000 barrels […]

Al Qaida said to control entire desert region of northern Mali, posing regional threat

Al Qaida said to control entire desert region of northern Mali, posing regional threat

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Al Qaida is said to be expanding operations throughout North Africa from the insurgency network’s base in Mali. Mauritanian President Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz said Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb took over a large area of northern Mali. Abdul Aziz said AQIM was threatening interests throughout the Sahel […]

Down but not out: Gadhafi’s son ‘determined to carry on’ father’s legacy

Down but not out: Gadhafi’s son ‘determined to carry on’ father’s legacy

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has determined that the children of ousted Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi were appointing agents to transfer money and weapons. The Treasury Department has identified an agent for at least one surviving son of Gadhafi. The department said Humayd Abdul Salam, designated for U.S. sanctions, was providing support […]

UK offers assistance to Syrian opposition

UK offers assistance to Syrian opposition

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Britain, in what could prompt other NATO members to do the same, has decided to equip the opposition against Syrian President Bashar Assad. Officials said the government of Prime Minister David Cameron would begin sending advanced non-lethal equipment to the Syrian opposition. They said this would include communications systems to […]

U.S. intel: Syrian regime could survive 2012 thanks to backing from China, Russia, Iran

U.S. intel: Syrian regime could survive 2012 thanks to backing from China, Russia, Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that a fragmented opposition and powerful foreign support could sustain the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout 2012. Officials said the assessment took into account the strong military, intelligence and financial support the Damascus regime has received from China, Iran and Russia. The […]

Libyan revolution spells disaster for Russian defense contractor

Libyan revolution spells disaster for Russian defense contractor

Special to WorldTribune.com MOSCOW — A leading Russian defense contractor has reported the loss of contracts in Libya. The state-owned Russian Tactical Missiles has lost nearly $800 million in contracts with the Libyan military. The company, which reported $390 million in sales last year, attributed the losses to the revolt that overthrew and killed Col. […]

Report confirms Gadhafi concealed chemical weapons stockpile

Report confirms Gadhafi concealed chemical weapons stockpile

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Libya, despite its 2003 agreement with the West, has maintained a hidden stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said Libya maintained a stockpile of chemical weapons not reported to the international community. OPCW said the amount of chemical munitions far exceeded that […]

Turkey set to train Libyan forces as militia battles rage in Tripoli

Turkey set to train Libyan forces as militia battles rage in Tripoli

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Turkey is preparing to launch a training program for Libya’s security forces. A Turkish security delegation arrived in Libya on Jan. 5 to discuss a program to train Libyan police and security forces. Officials said Ankara would conduct training in Turkey and Libya for both Libyan cadets and veteran officers. […]