Cut U.S. Ties, Libya Urges Arabs

Libya, in a counterattack against Western diplomatic pressure, called on Arab nations today to sever diplomatic and financial ties with the United States and Britain or lose Tripoli’s support.

In an unusually angry outburst against its Muslim brethren, Col. Moammar Kadafi’s government said Arab leaders should take “practical steps” against the United States, according to a Libyan radio report monitored by the British Broadcasting Corp. The radio said Libya insisted that Arab nations break off diplomatic relations with Washington and London, stop dealing with U.S. and British banks and cut back diplomatic missions in countries that have reduced Libyan missions.