Mubarak advises Gaddafi to solve Lockerbie impasse

An Egyptian diplomatic source said today that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak advised Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gaddafi, with whom he has met twice in Cairo since Gaddafi's arrival on Friday, to take the opportunity to settle the Lockerbie impasse.

The sources told ArabicNews.com that to lose the current chance after the guarantees Libya has reached with the United Nations will change the issue and complicate it more after it was about to be settled. They added that it is in Egypt's interest to close Lockerbie file and end sanctions imposed on Libya since April 1992.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added "We can never interfere in the Libyan decision" about the place of extradition and an acceptable date, saying, "Our duty is to talk with our Libyan brothers frankly and objectively" and to express an outlook for a response to the Security Council at the end of current month, without dictating the final features of the agreement.

He also pointed out that the date of Gaddafi's visit to Egypt aims at informing Egyptian officials on the details of the agreement and at obtaining Egypt's support.