Probe into Kadhafi’s plot to kill Abdullah; Saudi delegation in Iran

By: Mohamed Ali/ Sheikh M. Khurasani

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: Libyan Leader Moamer Kadhafi last year ordered the assassination of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler as two alleged members of the conspiracy under arrest in the US and Saudi Arabia accused, the New York Times reported in its Thursday editions.

Informed sources told the daily that the murder plot, involving firing rockets at Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz' motorcade, is being investigated by the United States, Saudi Arabia and Britain.

The investigation began last year as the United States and Britain were dramatically improving its ties with its longtime adversary Kadhafi.

US officials said the investigation of the alleged assassination plot is one reason why Libya has not been removed from a US state department list of countries that support terrorism.

Last year, Abdullah and Kadhafi clashed publicly at an Arab League summit. The Saudi walked out after angrily pointing his finger at Kadhafi and questioning how he had come to power.

If proven, the allegations could also call into question President Bush's April decision to relax a trade embargo to allow US firms to buy oil and invest in Libya for the first time since 1986 in a reward for Kadhafi's weapons decision.

In Iranian capital city of Tehran, a visiting high-ranking Saudi Arabian judicial delegation and a number of Saudi Ulema and judicial specialists discussed matters of mutual concern with Iranian political and judicial officials.

The delegation met with Iran Judiciary Chief Ayatullah Mahmud Hashemi Shahrudi Wednesday. Shahrudi hoped in the meeting that once further exchange of visits between Iranian and Saudi Ulema and scholars are facilitated, in particular in the judicial sector, enforcing Islamic principles and up-dating them would become systematic.

Head of the International Forum for Amity of Islamic Schools of Thoughts Ayatullah Mohammad-Ali Taskhiri, Tehran Substitute Friday Prayer Leader Ayatullah Ahmad Jannati and a number of Iranian Ulema, law experts and judicial officials attended the meeting. The delegation called on President Khatami on Tuesday.

END