Lebanon’s court summons Gaddafi in cleric disappearance case

By: Karim Tellawi

BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanese chief prosecutor has issued a summons for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to appear for questioning over the disappearance of Lebanon’s cleric and spiritual leader Ayatullah Mussa As-Sadr.

The issuance came after Lebanon’s attorney general Adnan Addum announced that he had ordered the reopening of an official inquiry into Libya's role in the disappearance of Ayatullah As-Sadr there nearly 26 years ago.

The attorney general gave the judge “recourse to all judicial measures, including powers to issue arrest warrants and sub-poenas to throw light on this affair in the light of the new evidence submitted by the plaintiff's lawyers,” a statement said.

As-Sadr's son filed a suit in Beirut last month against Gaddafi, former Prime Minister Abdel Salam Jallud, former ambassador to Lebanon Ashur al-Fartas and 15 other Libyans for the kidnapping on August 31, 1978. Lebanese officials say they have new information about people allegedly involved in Sadr's disappearance.

Two of Sadr's lieutenant Sheikh Mohammad Yaqub and journalist Abbas Badreddin disappeared with him. Their wives joined Sadreddine Sadr in filing the complaint.

A lawyer for the families said the suit contained “claims that clarify that some people have taken part in this crime”.

The 17 other officials will also be summoned.

Lebanon claims Ayatullah As-Sadr disappeared after an argument with Gaddafi. Libya says the cleric boarded a plane for Rome, but the Italian authorities denied that he ever arrived.

The on-going case has soured relations between the two countries.

Last year, Libya closed its embassy in Beirut claiming that it was insulted by Lebanese pressure to reveal Sadr's fate.

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