U.S. EXPELS LIBYAN LINKED TO TERROR PLOT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000504040011-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 23, 2012
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: June 6, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/27: CIA-RDP90-00965R000504040011-0
kirncLE i;PPEARED
6 June 1985
U0 S. expels Libyan
,linked to terror plot
By Pam McClintock
and Ted Agres
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The United States has ordered the
expulsion of a Libyan diplomat to the
United Nations, citing concerns over
terrorist activities sponsored by the
radical regime of Col. Muammar
Qaddafi, the State Department said
yesterday.
The Libyan Mission to the United
Nations was notified late Thesday
that Far hat 'Ibebar. 32, had been
declared persona non grata and
ordered to leave the country. Mr.
Tbebar had been serving as an atta-
che at the mission.
"The FBI informed the State
Department that Mr. Teebar had
been identified as being involved in
a Libyan-directed plot against Lib-
yan dissidents in the United States,".
said Joseph Reap, a State Depart-
ment spokesman.
"These illegal activities were
incompatible with his status under
the terms of his entrance into the
United States under the U.N. Treaty,"
he said.
This is the first time that a Libyan
diplomat has been expelled from the
United Nations, Mr. Reap said.
"We are concerned about the
situation in the United States
because the potential clearly exists,
as shown in the pattern of Libyan
terrorist acts in Europe, against
opponents of the. Libyan govern-
ment," Mr. Reap said.
"The pattern of Libyan terrorist
activity abroad is clear and we do not
intend to let it get to this stage in this _
country," he added.
Mr. Thebar was one of five Libyan
attaches to the U.N.
It could not be determined
whether Mr. Teebar has already left
the country and attempts to reach a
representative of the Libyan Mis-
sion to the United Nations last night
were unsuccessful.
A federal grand jury in Alexan-
dria last week began investigating
allegations ? that supporters of Mr.
Qaddafi have plotted to assassinate
dissidents of the radical leader liv-
ing in this country.
Sources close to that investigation
said that Mr. Teebar's expulsion is
related to that probe.
Sixteen Libyans from Northern
Virginia, Michigan, Colorado and
North Carolina were subpoened and
called to testify before the federal
grand jury. All but one, an employee
of the Libyan Student Center, in
McClean, were students.
Although all 16 were dismissed
after appearing before the grand
jury, sources said that the investiga-
tion is continuing.
The Washington Times this week'
reported that pro-Qaddafi Libyans
in the United States had created
nationwide support structures to
assist terrorist activities. These
"infrastructures" were said to con-
sist of safe houses in major cities,
weapons, ammunition, money and
systems to provide medical and legal
aid and transportation.
The State Department said Mr.
Tbebar's expulsion follows at least
four known incidents this year over-
seas in which Libyan opponents of
the Qaddafi regime were killed or
wounded in terrorist attacks, Mr.
Reap said.
In May 1981, the United States
expelled all 21 Libyan diplomats
from the embassy in Washington.
The administration at that time cited
"a wide range of Libyan
provocations and misconduct,
including support for international
terrorism:' The Libyan mission to
the United Nations, however, was not
covered by the order and was
allowed to stay open.
The State Department declined to
say whether it is considering expel-'
ling other diplomats of the Libyan
U.N. Mission.
Eleven Libyans are now
accredited to the United Nations. A
total of 19 Libyans are part of the
U.N. contingent. All are subject to
travel bans restricting their move-
ments to the five boroughs of New
York City without prior U.S.
approval, the State Department said.
The Libyan Student Center in
McLean, which is prohibited from
participating in any diplomatic
activity, opened after the Libyan
embassy in Washington was ordered
closed. The Student Center's ostensi-
ble purpose is to provide financial
support and other services to Libyan
students in the United States.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/27: CIA-RDP90-00965R000504040011-0