11 July 2002
An unfortunate impression has been created that the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi brought into the country a big contingent of people, which carried a large volume of assorted weapons.
The story has been formulated in a way that contends that we were not in control. We want to assure the South African public that our security forces were in full control. The weapons that the Libyans brought into the country were in terms of an agreement we had with them. Both sides honoured that agreement. There were 28 sub-machine guns and 43 side arms (pistols).
There were certainly no rocket-propelled grenades (RPG's). All the weapons were registered and were left in the care of our security forces for safe-keeping except for 4 sub-machine guns which were used for the static protection of the Libyan leader and an additional 4 that was given to the Libyans when in convoy. All of this happened under the command and control of the South African security unit that was assigned to the Libyans.
Colonel Gaddafi left South Africa today by land accompanied by a contingent of our security forces as per agreement with the Libyans.
We want to reiterate the fact that the Libyans cooperated with us in regard to our plans and how these were carried out. At no stage was the security of our people, the delegates to the OAU/AU Summit and even the Libyans themselves at risk.
Issued by: GCIS
Ministers C. Nqakula (Safety and Security), L. Sisulu (Intelligence) and M. Lekota (Defence)