Libya to order 13-18 French Rafale jets: Report

Paris, Jan 14: Libya wants to order between 13 and 18 Rafalefighter jets from France in a deal worth as much as 2.5 billion euros aFrench newspaper reported today.

The weekly Journal du Dimanche, citing a source close to theLibyan government, said Libya had taken the decision to order theaircraft over an offer from BAE Systems to modernise its ageing RussianMiGs as well as competing offers from China and Russia.

If confirmed, the deal would be the first foreign order for the 34billion euro Rafale programme, which has been shortlisted several timesbut which is yet to find a foreign buyer, prompting French officials toseek improvements to its radar system.

In 2004, the European Union lifted an arms embargo against Libya imposed in 1986.

Libya emerged from international isolation from 2003 when itaccepted responsibility for the Lockerbie airliner bombings overScotland and announced it would abandon its nuclear weapons programme.Most US sanctions were lifted in 2004.

Reuters>