Libyan court delays trial of nine US officials

A Libyan court postponed yesterday the trial of 9 US officials it considers responsible for planning and implementing the US raids on Tripoli and Ben Gazi in 1986, leading to the deaths of 41 and the injury of 226 others, as well as the damage caused to buildings, such as the residence of Libyan leader Moammar Gadaffi in Tripoli.

The Tripoli criminal court decided to delay the trial of the nine Americans to September 9 due to not summoning the accused.

On December 30, 1998, the general prosecution in Libya issued an order arrest warrant for the accused: John Poindexter; the late William Casey, the former head of US intelligence; Robert Gates the former deputy advisor of national security; former official of combating terrorism at the US State Department Robert Oakley; former leader of the US Sixth Fleet Franck Kelso and the two US Air Force Pilots, Fernando Recibash and Jack Fletch. The list includes former US military officer Oliver North.

Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid said the current developments in the Arab and international arenas stand beside the Lokerbie crisis.