UK, CIA Linked to Rendition Plot With Gadhafi Regime

One victim is now head of anti-Gadhafi forces
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 5, 2011 2:03 AM CDT
UK, CIA Linked to Rendition Plot With Gadahfi Regime
Moammar Gadhafi fans his face during an event last year.   (AP Photo/Abdel Magid Al Fergany, file)

Today's bloodthirsty dictator was apparently yesterday's Western helpmate. Documents discovered in an abandoned Libyan government office reveal that the Brits, CIA and Libya were involved in a plan to deliver a terror suspect—with his wife and children—to a Tripoli prison where they likely faced torture, reports the Guardian. Though negotiations took place directly between UK and Libyan officials, the CIA was standing by, eager to get involved and help fund the rendition from Hong Kong to Tripoli, according to the papers.

"If payment of a charter aircraft is an issue, our service would be willing to assist financially to help underwrite those costs," said fax from the CIA, which insisted however, that the terror suspect be treated "humanely." One of the victims of an apparent rendition arrangement among Libya, the US and the UK, Abdul Hakim Belhaj—now commander of the anti-Gadhafi militia in Tripoli—demanded an apology from London and Washington, and may file a lawsuti for being tortured in Libya. (More CIA stories.)

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