BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Libya Wednesday severed diplomatic ties with Lebanon because of recent hostile speeches to mark the
disappearance of a Lebanese Shiite religious leader.
Imam Mousa al-Sadr disappeared in Libya some 25 years ago, according to Libyan Charge d'Affaires Hussein al-Shiref.
Al-Shiref told UPI his country informed Lebanon of its decision to break off relations because of speeches made by
Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri, the leader of the Shiite Amal movement, and Hezbollah chief Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah during the weekend in which they renewed accusations Libya had a hand in the disappearance.
There was no immediate comment from Lebanon.
Al-Sadr, the founder of the Amal movement, and two of his companions disappeared during a trip to Libya in August 1978. Libya has repeatedly denied Lebanese accusations it was responsible for their disappearance and confirmed the three men vanished after they left Tripoli aboard a plane to Italy.
Lebanese-Libyan relations have been occasionally tense because of al-Sadr issue.
