This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
August 2000
The CIA reports that Libya continues to develop its nascent and rudimentary nuclear research and development program, but still requires significant foreign assistance to advance to a nuclear weapons option.
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.
25 September 2000
The Sunday Telegraph of London reveals that Libya acquired the first of four consignments of North Korea's surface-to-surface Nodong missiles and launchers in July. The missiles have a range of 1,500 kilometers; a further three shipments, totaling 50 missiles and launchers, is to be delivered over the next three years. The first shipment consists of missiles that are capable of carrying conventional, nuclear, and chemical warheads and is estimated to cost approximately $500 million. Nine North Korean missile engineers and technicians will spend two years in Libya to make the missiles operational. North Korea has also agreed to build the infrastructure necessary for maintaining and storing the missiles in Libya, and to train Libyans in all aspects of missile technology over a period of five years. The missile shipment was originally thought to have been destined for Pakistan, but a detailed investigation showed that the cargo was headed to Libya via Malta. While Libya has been attempting to develop its own long-range missile, al-Fatah, it has also been engaged in extending the range of the Russian-designed Scud missile through a project called al-Jadid.
—Douglas Davis, "Report: Libyan Missiles Can Hit Israel," The Jerusalem Post, 25 September 2000; Lynne O'Donnell, "Albright Opens Door on Timewarp," Australian, 24 October 2000.
September- late 2000
Libya receives two L-2 centrifuges; more advanced than the L-1s, they use maraging steel rotors instead of aluminum rotors. Libya places an initial order for 5,000 centrifuges of this design from another country [thought to be Pakistan], and later raised the number to 10,000 machines. Libya intends to install a centrifuge plant to make enriched uranium. Libya starts to progressively install nine-machine, 19-machine, and 64-machine L-1 centrifuges into a large hall at Al Hashan. [The nine-machine centrifuge was completed in April 2002.]
—Report by the General Director, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya," International Atomic Energy Agency, GOV/2004/12, 20 February 2004, p. 5.
January 2001
A US Department of Defense report states that despite the fact that Libya has ratified the NPT, it has not signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and has long intended to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. It also asserts, however, that Libya has made little progress in its nuclear efforts and that the program lacks well-developed plans, expertise, consistent financial support, and adequate foreign suppliers. The report projects that Libya will continue to attempt to develop a nuclear infrastructure. Libya is also reported to be attempting to recruit foreign scientists and technicians to aid its nuclear efforts.
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.
September 2001
The CIA reports that Libya still requires significant foreign assistance to advance a nuclear weapons option and the suspension of United Nations sanctions has accelerated the pace of Libya's procurement efforts in its drive to revive its nuclear program.
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.
9 September 2001
Libya denies a CIA report that claims Tripoli is continuing to develop a nuclear research and development program, and would require significant foreign assistance to advance a nuclear weapons option.
—"Libya Denies CIA Claim on Developing Weapons of Mass Destruction," Agence France Presse, 9 September 2001.
13 November 2001
Libya finally signs the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, despite a 1996 vote against it in the UN General Assembly.
—Joseph Cirincione with Jon B. Wolfsthal and Miriam Rajkumar, Deadly Arsenals, Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction (Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2002), p. 307.
Late 2001-Early 2002
Libya receives documents [probably from Pakistan] related to nuclear weapons design and fabrication. The documents include a series of engineering drawings relating to nuclear weapon components and the fabrication of weapons components. [In 2004, Libya tells the IAEA that it had no national personnel competent enough to evaluate the data.]
—Report by the General Director, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya," International Atomic Energy Agency, GOV/2004/12, 20 February 2004, p. 5; Gaurav Kampani, "Proliferation Unbound: Nuclear Tells from Pakistan," CNS Research Story, February 23, 2004, <http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/week/040223.htm>.
January 2002
The CIA estimates that Libya will need significant foreign assistance to acquire a nuclear weapon, but that Tripoli's nuclear infrastructure enhancements remain a concern.
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.
27 February 2002
Libya denies a Canadian intelligence report that suggests the African country was determined to acquire nuclear weapons as quickly as possible, along with Iraq and Iran.
—"Libya Protests Canadian Spy Agency's Report it has Nuclear Arms Programme," Agence France Presse, 27 February 2002.
25 March 2002
In an interview with Al-Jazirah, Colonel Qadhdhafi states, "We demand the dismantling of the weapons of mass destruction that the Israelis have; we must continue to demand that. Otherwise, the Arabs will have to fight to possess that weapon."
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.
6 May 2002
Undersecretary of State for arms control and international security, John Bolton, says Libya and Syria are pursuing development or have the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction. Bolton said the United States suspects Libya of having a longstanding pursuit of nuclear weapons and, since UN sanctions were lifted in 1999, Libya has enjoyed increased access to dual-use technologies. Libya denies the allegations.
— "US: Libya, Syria, Cuba Have Mass Weapons," United Press International, 6 May 2002; Sadek al-Tarhuni, "Libya Denies U.S. Weapons Accusation," United Press International, 7 May 2002; Anthony Cordesman Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.
6 September 2002
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says Libya is developing long-range missiles and nuclear weapons with help from Iraq and North Korea and may be receiving financial assistance from Saudi Arabia.
—Ross Dunn, "Libya Leads Arab Race for Nuclear Bomb: Sharon," Sydney Morning Herald, 6 September 2002.
11 September 2002
The United States agrees with Israeli assessments that Libya has stepped up efforts to acquire a nuclear weapon and that such efforts were aided by the lifting of UN sanctions in 1999.
— "Israel: Israel, U.S. Agree on Libya Nuclear Plans," Financial Times Global News Wire, 11 September 2002.
December 2002
The components for the L-2 centrifuges that Libya ordered from another country begin to arrive in large quantities.
—Report by the General Director, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya," International Atomic Energy Agency, GOV/2004/12, 20 February 2004, p. 5.
25 December 2002
Libya denies claims by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that Libya is receiving help from Iraqi experts for its nuclear industry.
—"Official Rejects Sharon Claim on Iraqi Scientists in Libya," Agence France Presse, 25 December 2002.
8 January 2003
A CIA report says that, "in 2001, Libya and other countries reportedly used their secret services to try to obtain technical information on the development of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons." The report cites Tripoli's attempts to buy a nuclear reactor from Russia and efforts to secure Moscow's assistance in developing the Tajura nuclear research center. Libya denies the charges.
—"CIA: Libya, Syria and Sudan Try to Acquire Weapons of Mass Destruction," Comtex News Network, Inc., 8 January 2003; "Syria, Libya Reject CIA Report on Efforts to Develop WMD," Comtex News Network, Inc., 9 January 2003.
11 February 2003
CIA Director George Tenet warns that, over the past 12 months, Libya is one of a handful of countries that has moved to obtain equipment to produce weapons-grade nuclear materials and the ability to deliver them as nuclear bombs. Tenet makes special mention of Libya's increased access to dual-use technologies.
—Walter Pincus, "CIA Head Predicts Nuclear Race; Small Nations Pursuing Arms," The Washington Post, 12 February 2003.
March 2003
Libyan leader Mu'ammar Qadhdhafi makes overtures to Britain and the United States on dismantling its WMD programs. The start of negotiations coincides with the US invasion of Iraq.
—David E. Sanger and Judith Miller, "Libya to Give Up Arms Programs, Bush Announces," The New York Times, 20 December 2003.
12 June 2003
According to diplomatic sources, America is investigating the possibility that Libya recruited Iraqi nuclear scientists who had previously worked for Saddam Hussein.
—Kim Sengupta, "US Sends Warning to Libya Over Pursuit of WMD," The Independent (London), 21 June 2003.
September 2003
The United Nations eases its decade-long sanctions after the Libyan government admits its involvement in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 and pays millions of dollars in compensation to the victims' families.
—Anjali Battacharjee and Sammy Salama, Libya and Nonproliferation, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, <cns.miis.edu>, 24 December 2003.
14 October 2003
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says Libya has been trying to acquire nuclear weapons and might be the first Arab country to attain them.
—"Israeli PM Says Libya Trying to Acquire Nuclear Weapons at Talks with Envoys," Financial Times Global News Wire, 14 October 2003.
Early October 2003
Thousands of centrifuge parts for enriching uranium are seized by US and British intelligence on their way to Tripoli. The seizure is part of the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative launched in May; the equipment found aboard German-owned freighter BBC China are proof of Libya's clandestine nuclear weapons program. Officials disclosed that the shipment came from a Persian Gulf port, but they did not name the country of origin. Other reports state that the centrifuge parts were being sent from Malaysia to Libya, via the port city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
—Carla Anne Robbins, "Cargo Seizure Fueled Libya Arms Shift; U.S.-Initiated Interdiction Led to Discovery," Wall Street Journal, 31 December 2003; Rupert Cornwell, "Intercepted Shipment was Key to Libya Deal," Financial Times Global News Wire, 2 January 2004; Dominic Kennedy, "Briton's 'Bomb Link' to Libya and Pakistan," The Times (London), 1 March 2004.
16 December 2003
Israel expresses concern after the United States confirms that Russia is going ahead with plans to help Libya develop a civilian nuclear program.
—"Israeli Officials Said Worried About Russia-Libya Nuclear Cooperation," Financial Times Global News Wire, 16 December 2003.
19 December 2003
After nine months of secret negotiations with Britain and the United States, Libya announces its decision to disclose and dismantle its nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons programs; to accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention; to limit missiles to ranges of less than 180 miles in accordance with the Missile Technology Control Regime, and to allow international inspectors unconditional access to monitor and verify compliance.
Libya announces that it will halt its WMD programs and eliminate any stockpiles of weapons or materials under full verification by the international community. Specifically, Libya agrees in principle to the requirements of the Additional Protocol of the NPT and therefore agrees to the following conditions:
Libya will provide information to the IAEA about all parts of its nuclear fuel-cycle. In addition, Libya will furnish IAEA inspectors full access to all its fuel-cycle facilities.
