LIBYA: EGYPT HELPING HEAL RIFT BETWEEN SAUDIS AND

S E C R E T CAIRO 006271 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER EG SA LY PINR SUBJECT: LIBYA: EGYPT HELPING HEAL RIFT BETWEEN SAUDIS AND LIBYANS REF: A. RIYADH 5509 (NOTAL) ¶B. BUTLER-HEGADORN E-MAIL OF 8/10 Classified by Charge Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) During an August 14 conversation on Gaza disengagement, Presidential Spokesman Soliman Awad volunteered to the Charge that Libyan leader Qadhafi had "rescinded his support" for hostile elements in the Saudi Kingdom, and that the Saudis had forgiven Qadhafi for the assassination attempt on Crown Prince Abdullah. After telling the Charge that the Saudis had released the prisoners implicated in the assassination attempt, Awad encouraged the USG to remove Libya from its list of state sponsors of terror. Qadhafi, he argued, needed to see positive results for the various steps he has taken in recent years. ¶2. (C) Comment. During this conversation, Awad mentioned nothing of the surprise August 15 Mubarak visit to Libya. Nevertheless, Post believes that Libya-Saudi relations will feature prominently on the agenda. We are seeking a readout of the visit. End comment. ¶3. (U) USLO Tripoli minimize considered. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. JONES