Extradition proceedings against a Libyan national with alleged terrorist links were struck from the Pretoria magistrate's court roll on Monday, 21 months after his arrest. Prosecutor Elbie Leonard withdrew the matter saying the state had not yet received presidential consent to process Libya's request for the extradition of Ibrahim Abubaker Tantoush. Such consent was required as South Africa has no extradition treaty with Libya. The state could decide to re-open the extradition inquiry at a later stage.

Tantoush was arrested in Pretoria in February last year for allegedly being in possession of a fake South African passport. He was wanted by international police agency Interpol on a warrant issued at the request of the Libyan government, on a charge of gold theft.

Tantoush, reportedly a suspected al-Qaeda operative, is alleged to have stolen large amounts of gold in 1985 to fund Osama bin Laden. He reportedly attended various al-Qaeda training camps.

Tantoush's lawyer Omar Farouk Peer said his client was in South Africa on a temporary refugee permit, awaiting the outinfoe of a political asylum application. - Sapa

IOL