Meanwhile, Libyan opposition sources said the United States and Libya had signed a defense
cooperation accord during the last week of the administration of U.S.
President George Bush. The sources said the memorandum of understanding was
signed by Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Peter Verga.
"The MoU is meant to cover defense contacts and cooperation," an
opposition source said.
The Bush administration, in its last day of office on Jan. 19, did not
announce an MoU with Tripoli. But earlier, administration officials said the
White House and Defense Department sought to sign an agreement in principle
with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi for defense and military cooperation.
Libya's Soviet-equipped military has not been modernized since the early
1980s.
"This is yet another 'fact on the ground' by the Bush administration in
its sad process of appeasing Gadhafi Ñ the Arab world's quintessential
symbol for tyranny and terrorism Ñ for the sake of oil companies before it
leaves office thankfully tomorrow," the opposition daily Libyan Monitor said
on Jan. 19.
The sources said the MoU could pave the way for U.S. arms sales to
Libya. They said Libya has expressed interest in U.S. military aircraft and
border security systems.
"We believe Libya will turn to Russia for most of its military
requirements," the opposition source said. "The advanced technology that
cannot be obtained from Russia will be requested from the United States."