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US backs France-Libya nuke deal
26/07/2007 22:14 - (SA)
Washington - The United States threw its support behind France's plans on Thursday to build a reactor in Libya for desalination, which critics fear could be used by Tripoli to create a nuclear weapon.
"I expect that the French government would pay full attention to making sure that any safeguard will be implemented in any sort of deal," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
An official with France's Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) insisted that international safeguards imposed after Libya scrapped its military nuclear programme would prevent any proliferation.
"We support the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear energy as an alternative to hydrocarbons. But you have to do it in such a way that you are not at risk of proliferation," McCormack said.
"I would point out that the Libyan government voluntarily gave up it nuclear weapons programmes. That is certainly a very positive step. With the appropriate safeguards, I think that you have to look at how Libya might benefit from peaceful nuclear energy," the US spokesperson added.
A memorandum on building the new reactor was signed as French President Nicolas Sarkozy held talks with Libyan leader Kadhafi on Wednesday, a day after Tripoli freed six foreign medics.
France played a key role, along with EU officials, in securing their release.
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