Libya denies issuing Chen invitation

Libya on Thursday denied a report that leader Muammar Qaddafi invited President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to visit the country, and reaffirmed its commitment to the "one China" policy.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Michel Lu (呂慶龍) yesterday said he had "no comment" on the statement by the Libyan foreign ministry.

Lu was insistent that the son of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, Saif Qaddafi, had invited Chen to visit Libya on behalf of his father.

Libya's announcement was made as Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (李肇星) began a two-day official visit to the country.

"We reaffirm that we recognize only one China," said Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdel-Rahman Shalgam in a statement after meeting Li in Tripoli.