One of Dritain's main military lines of communication with Bast Africa, the Middlo and Far Mast is throatmo by a statomont mado by the Prime Minister of Libya on March 9th. Mr. Muntasser sait that his Government had asked Dritain and the U.S. to begin negotiations about the closing down of their bases in Libya. Whitehall has confirmed that the request has been recoived,
Libya has boon gotting £3.25m a yoar in U.K. grants in paymont for tho bases, and ovor &£7m. a year in current Dritish and military exponditure. However, Libya is getting increasing royaltics from oil (over £30m. last ee, and can do without these grants. Tho Amorican base at Wheelus is believed to be the biggost of its kind outside the U.S. It can be usod by strategic nucloar bombers and provides direct access to Southern Russias Strong prossure from Bgypt, which is vory angry with Johnson!s pro-Israel policy,. has been largely responsible for the move.