No deal of immunity struck between UK and Libya defector Mousa Koussa: William Hague

April 4th, 2011 - 5:27 pm ICT by ANI  

London, Apr 4 (ANI): British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that his government has not struck any deal with former Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who had defected to the UK last week, to grant him immunity.

The BBC quoted Hague as saying that Koussa is not under arrest, but that does not mean that he has gained immunity.

“There will be no immunity, he hasn’t asked for that, there isn’t a deal. He chose to come to the United Kingdom of his own free will. That is a good thing that he has left this despotic, murderous regime, because it weakens that regime,” he said.

Koussa, who has been implicated in the Lockerbie bombing and the supplying of arms to the IRA, arrived in England last Wednesday.

Currently, he is being questioned by the security services, MI5 and Ministry of Defence interrogation teams at a safe house near Guildford, Surrey.

Scottish police and prosecutors reportedly want to talk to Koussa about the 1988 Lockerbie bombing in which 270 people died, and they will meet Foreign Office officials on Monday for talks.

Meanwhile, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has refused to speculate the outcome of the interrogations, but only said: “Suffice to say the Scottish government will give the full support to our police and prosecuting authorities in whatever steps and whatever actions they take.”

On being asked about the danger of a military stalemate between pro-Gaddafi forces and rebels, Hague said there was no future for Libya under its current leadership.

“Let’s be clear, if the Libyan regime tries to hang on in this situation, they are internationally isolated, they can’t sell any oil. There is no future for Libya on that basis, and so I think even the prospect of stalemate should encourage people in Tripoli to think, ‘Well, Col Gaddafi has now got to go,” he added. (ANI)

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