Lebanon to probe Gaddafi link to missing Imam

Lebanon's public prosecutor said yesterday he wanted to reopen an investigation into Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's alleged role in the disappearance of a Lebanese Shi'ite leader 26 years ago.

Lebanese Shi'ites say Libya is responsible for the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr and two of his aides during a visit to Libya in 1978. Libya says Sadr, founder of the Shi'ite Amal movement, left the country safely.

An initial case against Libya was closed in 1986 for lack of evidence. But Sadr's family said last week it had new information incriminating Gaddafi and 17 others.

After considering the new evidence, Lebanon's public prosecutor Adnan Addoum asked the country's judicial investigator to contact the accused and restart the probe.

"I ask you to reconsider the decision to suspend (the case) which was taken on November 18, 1986 and to widen the investigation again," Mr Addoum said in a statement.