A Libyan source said Paris and Tripoli have already signed an agreement
for the Milan anti-tank missile and the Tetra communications and
surveillance systems. The source said the contracts, meant for Libya's
military and police, were signed on Thursday and totaled $405 million —
$230 million for Milan and $175 million for Tetra.
In an interview on Aug. 1 with the Paris-based Le Monde, Al Islam said
the weapons agreement was reached last week by Sarkozy and Khaddafy. Al
Islam, responsible for Libyan negotiations with the Western powers, said he
expected other Western arms deals over the next few months.
The Milan is a tripod-mounted anti-tank weapon developed by a subsidiary
of EADS. Officials said the Milan project stemmed from a memorandum of
understanding on defense issues that led to the release of foreign medics
imprisoned in Libya. The MoU also included French assistance to Libya's
civilian nuclear program.
Tetra, or Terrestrial Trunked Radio, is a digital trunked mobile radio
standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
Several European firms manufacture Tetra, designed for open standards and
interoperability.
Libya was also said to be negotiating with France for the Rafale
fighter-jet, manufactured by Dassault Aviation. Tripoli, under Western
embargo for more than 15 years, has sought an advanced fighter in an effort
to modernize Libya's air force.
Britain and Italy have been negotiating with Tripoli. BAE Systems has
offered Libya a range of aircraft and dual-use systems, while Italy has
sought to sell naval vessels. Germany has not joined the European Union
bandwagon.
"I would have certainly wished that France had informed and gotten its
European partners on board with the offer to Libya," German Foreign Minister
Frank-Walter Steinmeier said. "I think the French side now sees that it
could have better chosen the order."