CHEERING CROWDS IN TRIPOLI; SOLDIERS; COL. MUAMMAR GADDAFI: MEMBERS OF LIBYAN AND AMERICAN DELEGATION; SHOTS OF DESERTED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTRE; STRIPPED BUILDINGS.




Initials KM/VS/AW/ES



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Background: THE UNITED STATES HANDED OVER TO LIBYA ON THURSDAY (22 JAN) ITS FORMER TELECOMMUNICATIONS CENTRE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 72 MILLION DOLLAR (GBP 30 MILLION) WHEELUS AIR BASE NEAR TRIPOLI.

THE CENTRE, LOCATED AT TAJURA, EAST OF TRIPOLI, WAS TRANSFERRED AT A FORMAL CEREMONY IN THE CAPITAL ATTENDED BY LIBYAN LEADER COLONEL MUAMMAR GADDAFI AND COMPLETES THE SECOND PHASE OF THE AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL FROM LIBYA. ALL OF THE CENTRE BUILDINGS WERE STRIPPED, EVEN DOWN TO LIGHT SWITCHES, BEFORE IT WAS VACATED.

THE U.S. AGREED TO LEAVE THE BASE UNDER AN AGREEMENT LAST MONTH WITH THE LIBYAN REVOLUTIONARY REGIME. BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL DEPOSED KING IDRIS LAST AUGUST, THE FORMER REGIME MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE BASE AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS TO HAVE EXPIRED IN 1971, WOULD NOT BE RENEWED.

THE NEWS OF THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF THE AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL WAS GREETED IN THE STREETS OF TRIPOLI WITH WILD CHEERING AND SHOUTING.

WHEELUS TELEVISION, WHICH HAD BEEN POPULAR AMONG THE FOREIGN COMMUNITY IN TRIPOLI, IS DUE TO CLOSE AT THE END OF MARCH.

THE FINAL STAGE OF THE AMERICAN PULL-OUT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 30.