France and Libya today signed an agreement providing for the continued sale of Libyan oil to France in exchange for French technical know-how, industrial help and the construction of an unspecified number of nuclear reactors. The agreement was signed here this morning by French Premier Pierre Messmer and Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Salam Jallud.
The Franco-Libyan agreement is believed to include secret clauses providing for the sale of sophisticated French-made weapons, including the F-1 Mirage fighter bomber and air-to-ground and ground-to-air missiles. French sources indicated that the agreement which will ensure Libyan oil supplies to France for some 10 years, is worth some $60 billion.
The agreement, these sources say, also provides for French know-how and investments in manpower in building Libya’s telecommunications, transport telephone and cable network and agricultural development. A joint Franco-Libyan communique released after the signing of the agreement says that France will also construct and help Libya run a number of nuclear reactors which will be used for peaceful purposes. Jallud, who paid a six-day official visit to France, left this afternoon.
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