OWN CORRESPONDENT, Tripoli | Thursday 3.15pm.
THE Libyan Olympic Committee said Thursday it has taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety of participants in the Paris-Dakar rally after the Niger leg was cancelled due to terrorist threats.
The statement was issued through Libya’s official JANA news agency after organisers of the rally began a massive airlift of vehicles and their crews from Niger’s capital of Niamey to Libya.
The Olympic Committee said it has “made all the necessary arrangements” to ensure the safety of the rally teams, who will find all the facilities they require on the Libyan stage of the event.
It noted that Libya has been praised for its organisation on previous Paris-Dakar rallies.
The air bridge, using giant Antonov 124 cargo planes, was set up between Niamey and Sabha, Libya, where the next stage will start.
The Niger stage was cancelled after threats reported by the United States and France and attributed to an ex-member of Algeria’s Armed Islamic Group (GIA).
A diplomat, who asked not to be named, identified the person as Mokhtar Mokhtari, who he said leads some 300 men and wants to set up an Islamic state straddling Mali, Algeria, Mauritania and Niger.
The Niger authorities deny there is a threat, saying the army can provide full protection.
The transport aircraft are expected to make several ferry trips to Libya at a cost estimated at some $1,57 million, organizers said.
They have to shift 143 motorcycles, 150 cars and 77 trucks, plus 2,500 tonnes of equipment.
Due to delays in getting the necessary aircraft to Niamey airport, the rally will not now resume until next Tuesday, 24 hours later than planned. — AFP