The Al Fatah is a Libyan- manufactured missile that has been in development since the early 19909. The Pentagon estimates it could have a range of up to 590 miles, enough to hit targets throughout southern Europe. It is not clear what role Serbian technical experts are playing in Al Fatah development. Several countries, including North Korea and Iraq, have adapted Scuds and Scud technology to carry heavier payloads and fly longer distances. A Pentagon report in April said Libya might acquire longer-range missiles, such as the North Korean No Dong missile with a range of 620 miles.
Tripoli also produces chemical weapons.
Defense Secretary William J. Perry warned in May that the United States would not rule out the use of military force to halt the completion of a large Libyan chemical-weapons facility being built outside Tripoli. The New York Times, quoting a senior European military official, reported last week that Serbia's government-run arms manufacturers are secretly shipping weapons and other materials to Libya. A major Serbian arms dealer told the newspaper that in July, several senior Serbian arms- industry officials met with Libyan officials in Tripoli. The dealer refused to say what was discussed. U.S. officials urged senior Serbian officials to end the agreement.