Former Libyan officials give versions of Imam Musa al-Sadr's disappearance
Former Libyan officials have presented different versions of the disappearance of Lebanese Shiite imam Musa al-Sadr, who vanished during a visit to the country on August 31, 1978, together with Sheikh Mohammed Yacoub and journalist Abbas Badreddine. No trace of any of the three has been found, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
Abdel Moneim al-Huni, who held a number of senior positions after the 1969 coup, said he believes al-Sadr was killed. He relayed the words of relatives of his brother-in-law, pilot Najm al-Din al-Yaziji: according to this version, the pilot allegedly transported the imam's body for burial in the Sabha area in southern Libya and was later killed himself because of his knowledge of the case.
Versions involving Italy
One of the leaders of Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Abdessalam Jalloud, said that he once raised the subject of the disappearance in a conversation with the Libyan leader. According to him, Gaddafi asked whether Jalloud was accusing him, after which the conversation ended. Jalloud also said he had heard about a police officer who allegedly impersonated al-Sadr and traveled to Italy using his passport.
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Former Foreign Minister Abdel Rahman Shalgam said there were reports that al-Sadr had arrived in Libya on the recommendation of Algerian President Houari Boumediene. He also mentioned rumors of a dispute between Gaddafi and the imam over religious issues. After the fall of the regime, according to Shalgam, other scenarios were discussed as well, including a possible role for Sabri al-Banna, known as Abu Nidal.
Account by the protocol chief
Former protocol chief Nuri al-Mismari said that Abdullah Senussi handed him passports to arrange Italian visas. According to him, one of the documents belonged to Musa al-Sadr. Al-Mismari claims that the imam did not leave Libya, while three people entered Italy, including a tall officer dressed in al-Sadr's clothes.
According to al-Mismari's version, these people left the passports of the imam and his companions at a hotel along with a prayer rug, and later departed using Libyan diplomatic passports. Another former Libyan foreign minister, Ali Abdessalam Treki, said he does not know the details of the case. According to him, the ministry only sent an invitation to al-Sadr through the Libyan chargé d'affaires in Beirut, while other bodies handled further coordination.
