"Continuing problems included reported disappearances; torture; arbitrary arrest; lengthy
pretrial and sometimes incommunicado detention; official impunity; and poor prison
conditions. Denial of fair public trial by an independent judiciary, political prisoners and
detainees, and the lack of judicial recourse for alleged human rights violations were also
problems."
This month, the administration has reported that the United States
suspended military cooperation with Libya, Middle East Newsline reported. Defense Secretary Robert Gates
said the cooperation was not significant, but did not elaborate.
"For FY2010, the Obama administration requested $350,000 in
International Military Education and Training funding for Libya to 'support
education and training of Libyan security forces, creating vital linkages
with Libyan officers after a 35-year break in contact,' " the report, titled
"Libya: Background and U.S. Relations," said.
CRS, which provides background to members of the House and Senate, said
Libyan participation in the U.S. military education program would have paved
the way for additional training.
Instead, Obama expanded military cooperation with Libya during his
first year in office, the report said. CRS said the White House requested
the Libya be eligible to receive weapons under the U.S. Foreign Military
Financing program.
"The Obama administration also requested Foreign Military Financing
assistance for Libya for the first time in FY2010, with the goal of
providing assistance to the Libyan Air Force in developing
its air transport capabilities and to the Libyan Coast Guard in improving
its coastal patrol and search and rescue operations," the report said.
The administration also approved a Libyan request for the modernization
of Gadhafi's air transport fleet. Libya acquired 10 U.S.-origin C-130
aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, in 1970.
"FY2011 FMF assistance is being requested to support Libyan
participation in a program that assists countries seeking to maintain and
upgrade their U.S.-made C-130 air transport fleets," the report said.
The report, completed in February, did not say whether the Gadhafi
regime benefited from U.S. upgrades of his air force or navy. The
administration has acknowledged that Congress blocked plans for an upgrade
of Libya's armored personnel carrier fleet.
The U.S. military has engaged the Gadhafi regime in a dialogue to
upgrade Libyan forces, reported at less than 120,000. The report said
Libya's military remained poor and unable to acquire the huge amount of
equipment it ordered from foreign contractors.
"Libya's current military leadership presides over a largely stored and
surplus catalogue of weaponry with poor maintenance records," the report
said. "The military also lacks sufficient numbers of trained personnel to
operate the military equipment currently in its possession."
In 2006, Washington lifted its arms embargo on Libya. While the United
States was said to have banned lethal weapons for export, European Union
states have offered Tripoli a range of aircraft and other combat platforms.