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Libya Leader Confirms Al-Qaeda Prisoners
arabnews ^ | 2 September | By Afaf Al-Qablawi, Arab News Staff

Posted on 09/02/2002 6:55:00 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo

TRIPOLI, 2 September — Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi announced yesterday that his country’s prisons were free of political detainees except for members of Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network. “As from the date of this anniversary, Libyan prisons will be empty, with the exception of a group of heretics believed to have links with what is known as Al-Qaeda and the Taleban,” Qaddafi said.

“So with the exception of the heretics, the prison will be emptied,” he said in a televised address yesterday marking the 33rd anniversary of the revolution that brought him to power. The Al-Qaeda suspects “were in Afghanistan and returned here and carried out killings in the streets. Some were arrested; some blew themselves up before being caught and others were arrested,” he said.

This is the first time Qaddafi is disclosing the presence of Al-Qaeda network in his country. He did not say how many had been arrested or where they were being held.

On Thursday, the Qaddafi Foundation, headed by the Libyan leader’s son Seif Al-Islam said it had won freedom for 65 members of the secular opposition detained since the 1980s.

He claimed the amnesty meant there were no more political activists in prison, except for “groups whose liberation menaces society,” referring to Islamists who had refused to “repent.”

In his speech, Qaddafi said Libya was treating its Al-Qaeda suspects in much the same way as Washington was treating the Guantanamo prisoners.

“We will treat them just like America is treating the others. We watch America, which is now the world leader and gives the signals to the world. Look how it is treating those held in Guantanamo,” he said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alislam; alqaeda; arrests; heretics; libya; muammarqaddafi; politicalprisoners; qadaffisson; qaddafifoundation; seifalislam

1 posted on 09/02/2002 6:55:00 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo
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To: Bad~Rodeo
I guess Reagans bombing was a real attention getter. This could be a good case to show the world what a few thousand tons of explosives can do to straighten out a crazy man.
2 posted on 09/02/2002 7:10:49 AM PDT by satchmodog9
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To: satchmodog9
Yeah Qaddafi use to be Hitler-like crazy .Now he's just Michael Jackson-like crazy.
3 posted on 09/02/2002 8:29:23 AM PDT by Captain Shady
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To: Bad~Rodeo
“We will treat them just like America is treating the others. We watch America, which is now the world leader and gives the signals to the world. Look how it is treating those held in Guantanamo,” he said.

Ouch.

4 posted on 09/02/2002 9:37:03 AM PDT by sam_paine
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To: Bad~Rodeo
In his speech, Qaddafi said Libya was treating its Al-Qaeda suspects in much the same way as Washington was treating the Guantanamo prisoners.

I doubt that... I don't think there is a Libyan equivalent to Froot Loops, trail mix, US sanitation, or American female guards, much less guards of the same temperment as US soldiers. I would be willing to bet that guys in a Libyan prison won't be putting on 14 pounds. And I seriously doubt that Libya has protestant chaplains to balance out the muslim crap.

Oh well, ya can't win 'em all. That'll teach those guys for going to Libya.

On the other hand, I'm more concerned about some of the people Moammar let go...

5 posted on 09/02/2002 9:44:11 AM PDT by piasa
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To: Bad~Rodeo
So now (former ?) secular fascist Qaddafi calls his political enemies heretics?

Must be part of his makeover.


6 posted on 09/02/2002 11:24:35 AM PDT by Salman
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To: piasa
I don't think there is a Libyan equivalent to Froot Loops, trail mix, US sanitation, or American female guards,

Qaddafi did have personal female bodyguards once. But like you,I don't think he would waste them on prisoners.

7 posted on 09/02/2002 6:41:35 PM PDT by Captain Shady
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To: Salman
Does part of his make over include coming out of the closet?
8 posted on 09/02/2002 6:46:32 PM PDT by realpatriot
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