Libyans ‘supplied junta’

Press, 14 May 1984, Page 10

Libyans ‘supplied junta’

NZPA-AFP London Libya sold Argentina arms, including 120 Sovietmade SAM-7 missiles, valued at ?USIOOM during the Falklands war in 1982, the “Sunday Times” newspaper reports. On May 14, 1982, six weeks after Argentina invaded the British-ruled archipelago, an Argentinian delegation had secretly gone to Tripoli, the Libyan capital, the newspaper said. The delegation was reportedly composed of RearAdmiral Benito Moya and Brigadier-General Teodoro Waldner, who is now chief of Argentina’s Air Force. It was joined by the Libyan Ambassador to Buenos Aires, Mr Muhammad Khalifa Rhaiam.

Six days later an airlift began. Besides the Sovietsupplied SAM-7 surface-to-air missiles, it included 20 French-made Matra Magic air-to-air missiles, mortars, and plentiful ammunition. Boeing 707 s of Aerolineas Argentinas had been used to fly the materiel to South America, and the flights had continued until June 14, when Argentinian troops on the Falklands surrendered, the newspapers said. “The Libyans offered unconditional and unlimited support to Argentina,” Mr Rhaiam was quoted yesterday as saying. “We were prepared to go on supplying arms as long as the conflict lasted.”