18.01.12 Libya Focus
Lebanon still keen to know what happened to Shi'a cleric Imam Musa Sadr
The change of government in Libya has done nothing to dampen the Lebanese demand
for information about the Shi'a cleric, Imam Musa Sadr, and two colleagues who disappeared in suspicious circumstances in Libya on 3rd
August 1978. The loss of one of Lebanon's most senior Shi'a clerics gave rise
to
accusations that the Libyan government of Colonel Qadhafi was complicit in his
disappearance. Tripoli has always claimed that Sadr and his companions left
Libya
on a scheduled flight to Italy but never arrived.
In the latest move, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansur arrived in Tripoli on 12th January; the first high level Lebanese delegation to
visit Libya in more than 30 years.
The Libyans have offered to form a new joint commission with the Lebanese to
determine the events at the time of Sadr's disappearance. Head of Political
Affairs Fathi Baja has reported, however, that Libya has no new information.
The new government obviously hopes that the tense bilateral relations since 1978
can be successfully ended by presumably paying compensation to the relatives of
the three men involved. The situation is, however, currently complicated by
Libyan visa requirements which are not available to Lebanese citizens, but
these
sanctions are expected to be removed.
For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates