/ 15 June 2011

Libya gets tickets for 2012 Olympics

Libya Gets Tickets For 2012 Olympics

Organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games have allocated Libya “a few hundred tickets” for the event, the Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

The Libyan National Olympic Committee (NOC), headed up by Muammar Gaddafi’s son Muhammad al-Gaddafi, has been given passes, even if the Libyan leader himself cannot attend due to an international travel ban and arrest warrant.

“The Libyan NOC, not an individual, has been allocated a few hundred tickets which they are responsible for distributing to sports organisations and athletes within their country,” a London 2012 spokesperson told the Telegraph.

Millions of Britons were disappointed last week when they failed to secure tickets for the oversubscribed sporting festival.

Britain is a key contributor to the ongoing Nato military operation against the long-serving Libyan ruler.

“There is consternation about the fact that country teams are entitled to invite their heads of state, meaning Gaddafi, who we are desperately trying to bomb into oblivion, could try to disrupt the Games,” a senior government source told the paper.

Tickets have also been offered to Zimbabwe and Myanmar, the newspaper reported. — AFP