Leaked cable: John McCain pushed to arm Qadhafi

By TIM MAK
Politico.com
8/26/11 6:19 AM EDT Updated: 8/26/11 7:24 AM EDT

A leaked U.S. diplomatic cable shows that Arizona Republican Senator John McCain promised to help Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi obtain U.S. military hardware in 2009.

The cable, released by the open information group Wikileaks, reveals the pledge came at meeting that was attended by other prominent members of Congress, including Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

In the meeting, Muatassim Qadhafi, the Libyan leader’s fifth son and national security advisor, requested U.S. assistance in obtaining military supplies, both lethal and non-lethal.

The cable shows that McCain was the dominant voice among the Congressional delegation in push for military hardware for Qadhafi.

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