Gadhafi: Iraq war played role in decision to dismantle WMD

Published December 23rd, 2003 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, in an exclusive interview with CNN, acknowledged Monday (early Tuesday Middle East time) that the war in Iraq may have played a role in his decision to dismantle his country's weapons of mass destruction programs.  

 

He also said that though his country has certain programs and machines, it has no chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear arms.  

 

"We have not these weapons," he said, adding that the programs he is ready to dismantle "would have been for peaceful purposes -- but nevertheless we decided to get rid of them completely. "There are many rumors, propaganda," he conveyed.  

 

Gadhafi said the inspectors would see "we don't have anything to hide."  

 

Asked about his decision, Gadhafi acknowledged that the Iraq war may have influenced him, but he insisted he wanted to focus on the "positive." He said the world is a changed place in which his country can feel safe without weapons of mass destruction.  

 

Gadhafi told CNN that other countries have set a positive example by dismantling weapons of mass destruction programs peacefully. He said he hopes other nations will follow his action. (Albawaba.com)

© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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