(Middle East Online) - Maxim Kniazkov Libya, Syria, and possibly Sudan are quietly trying to acquire or expand secret arsenals of weapons of mass destruction, the CIA warned in a report submitted to Congress and made public Tuesday. According to the report, Tripoli tried to negotiate with Russia a deal to purchase a nuclear reactor and secure Moscow's assistance in developing the Tajura Nuclear Research Center. "Tripoli still appears to be working toward an offensive CW capability and eventually indigenous production," the report stated. "Evidence suggests that Libya also is seeking to acquire the capability to develop and produce BW (biological weapons) agents." Syria is suspected of trying to acquire precursor materials and know-how for a chemical weapons program. "Damascus already holds a stockpile of the nerve agent sarin, but apparently is trying to develop more toxic and persistent nerve agents," the CIA said. The agency believes it is "highly probable" that Syria is also developing biological weapons.
2003-01-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive