This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.

Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

1980s
Most of the network of nuclear trade relations Libya has tried to establish with Pakistan, India, the Soviet Union, Belgium, Argentina, and Brazil atrophy or fail by this time. Libya's pursuit of nuclear weapons, however, continues.
—Ian O. Lesser and Ashley J. Tellis, Strategic Exposure, Proliferation Around the World (Santa Monica: RAND Corporation, 1996), p. 51.

1980
Libya reaches an agreement with the IAEA to place all of Libya's nuclear installations under international inspection.
— Joseph Cirincione with Jon B. Wolfsthal and Miriam Rajkumar, Deadly Arsenals, Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction (Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2002), p. 307; Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.

February 1980
India reports that the Soviet Union is considering an Indian proposal for a joint project to build a nuclear power plant in Libya.
—"India Reports that USSR is Considering Indian Proposal for Joint Project to Build Nuclear Power Plant in Libya," The New York Times Information Bank Abstracts, 24 February 1980.

4 August 1980
A Christian Science Monitor article alleges that Libya purchased 300 tons of partially refined uranium ore from Niger, which it later passed on to Pakistan. Libya, it is suspected, hopes to receive nuclear weapons technology from Pakistan in exchange for this aid.
—"Mideast Nuclear Threat—Tale of Murder, Intrigue," Christian Science Monitor, 4 August 1980.

12 November 1980
A Christian Science Monitor article alleges that Libyan leader Muammar Qadhdhafi is seeking an independent nuclear capability. Libya is said to be preparing for possible war with Israel, Egypt, or the United States.
—"Qadhdhafi's Great Aim for Libya is a Nuclear Capability of its Own," Christian Science Monitor, 12 November 1980.

1981
Libya reportedly declines an offer by former-CIA agent Edwin Wilson to supply it with 20% enriched uranium because it requires an enrichment level of at least 80%.
—Anjali Battacharjee and Sammy Salama, Libya and Nonproliferation, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, <cns.miis.edu>, 24 December 2003.

January 1981
Libya creates a Ministry for Atomic Energy, alleging that it is dedicated to "peaceful purposes." It also signs a nuclear cooperation agreement with Argentina and Pakistan.
—"Nuclear Energy Aide and Foreign Adviser Appointed in Tripoli," The New York Times, 8 January 1981.

19 January 1981
The Washington Post reports that Libyan financing for the Pakistani nuclear program may have been supplanted by Saudi Arabian financing.
—"Saudi Nuclear Pact," The Washington Post, 19 January 1981.

28 February 1981
The IAEA reports that Libya's pledge to put its Soviet-built nuclear reactor under safeguards will allow it to prevent the use of civilian technology for military purposes.
—"U.N. Atomic Agency Lauds Moves by Egypt and Libya," The New York Times, 28 February 1981.

12 March 1981
Official Moroccan sources report that the Libyan government signed a contract with the German firm ORTAG for the purchase of nuclear-capable medium-range missiles. The technical director of ORTAG denies that such a contract exists. Libya claims that the missile program is separate from the nuclear program and therefore not a danger to other countries.
— Associated Press, "Libya Reported to Sign Contract to Buy Missiles," The New York Times, 13 March 1981; "German Firm Denies Sale to Libya," The Washington Post, 14 March 1981.

12 September 1981
The New York Times announces that the Reagan administration has become increasingly concerned about a possible alliance between Libya and the Soviet Union, and the possible sale of West German missiles to Libya.
—"U.S. Uneasy Over Military Potential of Commercially Produced Rockets," The New York Times, 12 September 1981.

1982
Libya attempts to purchase a plant for manufacturing uranium tetra fluoride from the Belgian firm Belgonucleaire. The Carnegie Endowment alleges that the only feasible use for such a plant is to produce uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for a centrifuge uranium enrichment program underway in Pakistan. Libya has no declared nuclear facilities that require uranium tetra fluoride. The purchase is declined.
— Kenneth Timmerman, Weapons of Mass Destruction: the Cases of Iran, Syria, and Libya (Los Angeles: Simon Wiesenthal Center, August 1992), p. 89.

July 1982
Former CIA officer Edwin P. Wilson is arrested on charges of aiding Libyan terrorists. Wilson claims to have knowledge of Libya's efforts to produce nuclear weapons.
—"Fugitive Spy Offered to Aid U.S., Seeking Deal, Documents Show," The New York Times, 25 July 1982.

8 September 1982
The Reagan administration tells Congress that it intends to create a list of 63 countries that will require specific government permission to purchase sensitive nuclear technologies. Libya is reported to be on the list.
—"Administration Will List 63 Countries Subject to Nuclear Export Restrictions," The Washington Post, 9 September 1982.

1983
The US government prohibits the training of Libyans in nuclear science. Some 200 Libyans had previously been studying nuclear technology in the United States.
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.

February 1983
Former CIA officer Edwin P. Wilson testifies that he attempted to sell nuclear weapons, nuclear fuel, plans, and equipment to Libya in 1980. The CIA later declares the plans worthless.
—"Wilson Linked to Sale of Nuclear Arms to Libya," The Washington Post, 4 February 1983.

10 June 1983
The Organization of African Unity says that South Africa and Libya have the ability to deploy nuclear weapons.
—"Africans Are Advised to Develop Atom Arms," The New York Times, 10 June 1983.

May 1984
Belgium and Libya are expected to sign a nuclear cooperation pact.
—"Belgium and Libya Expected to Sign Nuclear Cooperation Pact That Excludes Technology," Wall Street Journal, 18 May 1984.

May 1984
The Libyan government offers the Belgian firm Belgonuclaire a contract to build two 440-megawatt nuclear power plants.
—"Belgium in Dilemma Over Libyan N-Power Offer," Financial Times (London), 19 May 1984.

July 1984
Nuclear suppliers meet in London to discuss tightening restrictions on nuclear exports to countries of concern, including Libya.
—"Nuclear Nations Agree to Tighten Export Controls," The New York Times, 16 July 1984.

October 1984
The US government exerts pressure on Belgium not to follow through on a deal to supply Libya with nuclear technologies.
—"Belgium Urged to Reject Pact with Libyans," The Washington Post, 9 October 1984.

23 October 1984
The Libyan state press agency says that the country is in serious talks with the Soviet Union regarding the construction of nuclear power stations.
—"Libya 'in N-Power Talks with Russia'," Financial Times (London), 23 October 1984.

November 1984
In response to US pressure, the Belgian firm Belgonucleaire declines a $1 billion contract to take over Libya's nuclear reactor engineering contract and supply much of the needed equipment. Soon thereafter, the Soviet Union reaffirms its commitment to construct an 880-megawatt power station to be located in the Surt region. The cost of the Soviet project is estimated at $4 billion, to be paid over a 15-to-18-year period.
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003; "U.S. Said to Stop Libya Nuclear Deal," The New York Times, 21 November 1984.

October 1985
The Soviet news agency TASS reports that Libya and the Soviet Union agree on a "long-term program" of trade and economic cooperation. Qadhdhafi wants to include nuclear technology as part of the agreement.
—"Qadhdhafi in Moscow: Little of Substance Expected from Visit," The New York Times, 12 October 1985.

12 October 1985
A Washington Post report alleges that the Soviet Union will supply Libya with a nuclear power center.
—"Qadhdhafi, Gorbachev Reach Agreement," The Washington Post, 12 October 1985.

February 1986
Qadhdhafi states that he will deploy nuclear-tipped, long-range Soviet missiles if he feels a US attack is imminent.
—"Gaddhafi Threat to Install Long-Range N-Missiles," Nationwide News Pty Limited, 13 February 1986.

27 February 1986
Italian airman Guiseppe Franchi, a noncommissioned officer in the Italian Air Force working at a NATO nuclear missile base command center, is arrested on suspicion of selling secret documents and disclosing classified information to Libyan agents.
—"Italian Airman Held in Spying on NATO," The New York Times, 27 February 1986.

March 1986
In an interview with an Indian newspaper, Colonel Qadhdhafi states that Libya will never help Pakistan acquire nuclear weapons. "We consider nuclear weapons production a great mistake against humanity," he says.
—Anthony Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 15 April 2003.

12 May 1986
The Advertiser reports that a Soviet ambassador has said that the USSR may build a nuclear plant for Libya.
—"Russia May Help Libya Build a Nuclear Plant," Advertiser, 12 May 1986.

22 March 1987
Qadhdhafi pledges to join the Warsaw Pact and deploy Soviet nuclear missiles along Libya's coast if the US attacks Libyan territory.
— Reuters, "Libya Can Get Soviet Missiles to Fight U.S. Gadhafi Warns," Toronto Star, 23 March 1987.

22 June 1987
Reuters quotes Colonel Qadhdhafi as saying, "the Arabs must possess the atom bomb to defend themselves until their numbers reach one thousand million, and until they learn to desalinate water, and until they liberate Palestine."
—Frank Barnaby, The Invisible Bomb, The Nuclear Race in the Middle East (London: I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd. Publishers, 1993), p. 150.

August 1987
Chad military forces report that they have driven Libyan forces out of Chad. Libya reportedly wanted to occupy the region for suspected uranium deposits.
—"Libyans Driven Out of Country Chad Announces," Toronto Star, 9 August 1987.

26 August 1987
Jane's Weapons Systems reveals that Libya possesses SS-1 Scud, SS-21, and Frog-7 surface-to-surface missiles, all of which can carry nuclear warheads.
—"Arab Missiles Threaten Israel Peres Charges," Toronto Star, 26 August 1987.

September 1987
The official Libyan news agency JANA reports that Qadhdhafi has urged all Arab states to develop nuclear weapons to protect themselves against Israel. "Now that the Israelis possess the atomic weapon, the Arabs have nothing before them except to work day and night to possess the atomic weapon in order to defend their existence."
—"Arabs Need Atomic Weapons to Counter Israel, Khadafy Says," Toronto Star, 2 September 1987.

October 1987
A Belgian arms dealer says that Libya sent agents to test samples of plutonium he was offering to sell on the black market.
—"Dealers 'Set up Nuclear Black Market'," Guardian (London), 30 October 1987.

January 1988
A West German investigation into possible nuclear materials delivered to Libya and Pakistan from West Germany widens.
—"Reagan Likely to Approve Aid to Pakistan; West German Probe Widens in Nuclear Shipping Scandal," The Washington Post, 15 January 1988.

14 June 1988
Libya bans the manufacture of nuclear weapons as part of a charter aimed at achieving world peace.
—"Libya Peace Aim," Nationwide News Pty Limited, 14 June 1988.

October 1989
British subject Derek Smith is arrested in Athens for carrying 5.5 pounds of uranium, which he claimed was a sample from a 550-pound batch from South Africa. He offered the uranium to Libya for $90,000 per pound. The arrest prevents a larger shipment from reaching Libya. Smith was reportedly suffering from radiation sickness when apprehended.
—Kenneth Timmerman, Weapons of Mass Destruction: the Cases of Iran, Syria, and Libya (Los Angeles: Simon Wiesenthal Center, August 1992), p. 90; "Briton Held in Greek Uranium Case; Derek Smith," Times (London), 13 October 1989.

	Updated September 2005