Tripoli denies recruiting Iraqi scientists; Egyptian and Saudi efforts to keep Libya in the AL

Libya has refused allegations and "lies" launched by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, who claimed on Tuesday that Iraqi scientists are working in the area of nuclear industry in Libya.

The spokesman for the Libyan foreign ministry Hasouna al-Shawish said "we reject the lies Sharon used to promote." He added "it is clear today for the world as a whole that the aim for which this terrorist is working when he promotes these lies is to hide the Israeli huge nuclear capabilities."

On another development, Arab efforts have been intensified in an attempt to make Libya change its mind from pulling out from the Arab League.

To this effect, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made a telephone call, his second within two days, with Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi.

The telephone conversation dealt with issues of mutual concern and the recent results of the visit held by the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher.

Qathafi also received a message from the Saudi Arabia's crown prince relating to the current Arab condition and means of revitalizing the mechanism of joint Arab work.

However, the spokesman for the Arab League Hesham Youssef said yesterday that Libya's decision to pull out from the AL is still frozen.