Libya allegedly went on gun-buying spree
(AP)
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This photo included in court documents obtained by The Associate Press, an Oct. 1, 2006, police surveillance photo shows Ermete Moretti, left, and Libyan officials unloading a van at Pisa airport. Authorities shadowed the yearlong negotiations between Libyan officials and a local group of black-market arms dealers, eventually moving in to arrest the Italians and break up a US$64 million deal, which would have put hundreds of thousands of Chinese-made assault rifles in Tripoli's hands. According to court documents obtained by The Associated Press, at least part of the shipment was expected to go to third countries. Experts say the arms were likely destined for troubled African hot spots, such as Chad and Sudan, underscoring Tripoli's bid to increase its influence on the continent as it returns to the world stage. (AP Photo/Handout)
AP - The Libyan officer tried to cloak the purpose of his call to the Italian arms dealer. "A friend," he said, wanted to buy 1 million "pieces" and 50 million items of "food." |
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