Malta Told Libya of U.S. Raid, but Kadafi Didn’t Act

Malta warned Libya of approaching planes just before the U.S. air raid on that north African country, but Libya apparently did not act on the information, a government spokesman said today.

Spokesman Paul Mifsud said a group of unidentified planes were spotted on radar screens by Maltese air controllers heading toward Libya, between 30 and 40 minutes before the April 15 raid.

“We relayed the information to Libya, but they didn’t appear to act on it,” he said. Previous reports have said Libya appeared to have been taken by surprise by the predawn bombings of Tripoli and Benghazi.

Mifsud said that relaying the information was in line with a “treaty of friendship” concluded in 1984 between Libya and this strategic Mediterranean island.

Malta would warn Libya again if necessary, he said, and would pass on similar warnings to other “friendly nations,” such as the United States or Italy.