Blair and BAE Systems lobbied Libya for arms deals

It has come to light that the UK government under Tony Blair actively lobbied for arms deals with Libya, on behalf of BAE Systems, a British multinational aerospace, defence and information security company, reports Middle East Monitor on 31st December.

This news invites introspection at the former prime minister’s controversial relationship with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

A 22nd March 2004 letter from BAE chair Sir Richard Evans, addressed to Blair’s chief of staff Johnathan Powell reveals government interest in securing ‘civil and military projects’ in Libya.

The exchange of letters between Powell and Evans reveal that Blair passed on BAE requests ‘directly’ to Gaddafi.

This visit even preceded Blair’s controversial meeting with Gaddafi following Libya’s acceptance of responsibility for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.

Blair, who has courted controversy for his relationships with Arab dictators, and drew particular ire for his close relationship with Gaddafi, including having to defend his attempts to evacuate Gaddafi during Libya’s 2011 civil war during the Arab Spring.

The former prime minister remains a controversial figure, with many calling for his prosecution for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity over Britain’s role in the 2003 Iraq invasion, which critics maintain violated international law.

The UK was instrumental in lobbying for an end to EU arms sanctions, with aim to finalise arms deals with Libya, and succeeded when the embargo was lifted in October 2004.

The EU initially introduced the embargo with Libya in 1986 as a result of supposed Libyan support for terrorist groups.

After the embargo was lifted, MBDA, a defence company in which BAE Systems had a 37.5 per cent stake, acquired a £199mn contract from Libya for anti-tank missiles.

BAE Systems responded to the new revelations by saying that they “comply fully with all relevant export control laws and regulations”, while both the Cabinet Office and Blair declined to comment on the newly released documents.

Middle East Monitor