LONDON — Britain has signed an accord for the extradition
of insurgency suspects with Libya and Jordan, and eight similar deals with other Mideast states are in the works.
The Britain and Libya signed a memorandum of understanding that would allow
either country to deport and extradite insurgency fugitives. Under the MoU,
any fugitive extradited to either Britain or Libya could not be tortured or
executed.
The British Foreign Office said on Oct. 18 that the MoU was signed in
Tripoli and would ensure fair treatment of suspects under international law.
This was the second such agreement between Britain and an Arab League state.
In July, London signed a similar extradition accord with Jordan, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials said Britain plans to sign MoUs with eight other Middle East
states, including Algeria and the United Arab Emirates.
"The signing today of the UK's second MoU, this time with Libya,
demonstrates that we are making progress in concluding agreements that will
allow us to safely deport foreign nationals," British Home Secretary Charles
Clarke said. "I believe these, and the other ongoing negotiations, are an
example of the effective international cooperation that we need in order to
confront and defeat the type of terrorism we now face."
In October, British authorities arrested a Libyan national wanted by the
regime of Col. Moammar Khaddafy. Libya has sought the extradition of several
insurgency fugitives who escaped to Britain.
Earlier this year, Britain approached Libya regarding an extradition
accord, officials said. They said negotiations to draft an MoU began in
August.
Libya remains on the U.S. State Department list of terrorist sponsors.
Tripoli has been accused by the London-based Amnesty International of
holding detainees incommunicado.
