South African company denies arms deal with Libya
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Xinhua, April 1, 2011
South Africa's state-owned arms manufacturer Denel on Friday denied that it, or its subsidiaries, had sold armaments to Libya.
According to the South African Press Association (SAPA), Denel was responding to a report in Johannesburg's Mail & Guardian on Friday which gave details from a leaked Denel internal memo.
The memo outlined a visit to Libya in April 2010, regarding the "planned sale of G6-52 artillery systems, missiles, grenade launchers and anti-materiel rifles."
Asked by SAPA whether any such sales had taken place, the company's acting group communications manager Pamela Malinda said no.
Malinda said Denel representatives had visited Libya "to explore the opportunities for the marketing of defense products."
On Friday, Malinda said this was correct, but no contracts and deals were concluded, apart from a contract with Denel subsidiary Mechem for "training on de-mining equipment."
South Africa's Mechem specializes in the clearance of land- mines. It also builds mine protected vehicles.
The Mail & Guardian said deals had been discussed with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and that the trip received the blessing from the South African presidency.
Gaddafi reportedly stressed the importance of having Africans trading within the continent.
On March 31, the South African government called for restraint by all parties in Libya to avoid further civilian casualties.
It rejected efforts to use the crisis to effect regime change in Libya.
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