Libya Has 'Semi-Confirmed' Info Sadr's Remains in Tripoli Mass Grave

Libyan authorities have obtained “semi-confirmed information” about the presence of Imam Moussa Sadr’s body in a recently discovered mass grave in the Libyan capital Tripoli, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council, said on Friday.

“Imam Sadr’s case was not on the front burner during this period, but some reports have suggested that the imam’s body might be among the bodies buried in a mass grave during the liberation of Tripoli” from slain Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, Abdul Jalil said in an interview on France 24 television.

He noted that investigators from the office of the public prosecutor in Tripoli were probing the case and that Lebanon had assigned a judge to follow up on the issue, following several visits by Lebanese officials to Libya.

“The office of the public prosecutor in Tripoli is in contact with this judge, and God willing these bodies will not be removed from the grave except in the presence of a representative of the Lebanese government, so that the Lebanese can realize that we are serious in this endeavor,” Abdul Jalil added.

“During the discussions I had with the investigators probing the case, who are among the best in Libya’s judiciary, I obtained semi-confirmed information about the presence of Imam Sadr’s body among the bodies contained by this mass grave,” he announced.

Separately, Abdul Jalil hoped Libya “will have a warm relationship with the Lebanese state” following the triumph of the “Libyan revolution” that ousted Gadhafi.

Later on Friday, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour issued a statement saying Abdul Jalil’s remarks were “inaccurate” and that “there is no decisive evidence confirming the information’s accuracy.”

Mansour said he had agreed with the Libyan side since the first trip he made to Tripoli and during his latest visit on Wednesday “not to release any information except after the end of investigations, and through the diplomatic channels between the two countries.”

“Until now, we are still conducting investigations and exchanging information. Hence, we consider such news inaccurate and we were surprised that they were publicized, given the fact that they would obstruct the course of investigations which are yet to be completed,” Mansour added.

Earlier on Friday, the Lebanese minister told NBN television that “more time” was needed to unveil Imam Sadr’s fate, denying that he had visited Libya carrying DNA information.

On Thursday the Libyan government’s official spokesman, Nasser al-Maneh, said Sadr’s remains were moved to a hospital in Tripoli for a DNA test.

“What has been said is baseless and the proof is that we have not made any statement,” said Mansour.

The minister stressed that “nothing can be publicized before the end of investigations and we will not hesitate to announce the results once they are obtained.”