1. Libya has defied a similar embargo three times to fly pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on its own aircraft. 2. The Miami Archdiocese hurriedly made alternative arrangements to fly pilgrims to the island by charter. 3. When he heard reports on the radio that arrangements to fly Afghan pilgrims to Saudi Arabia were doubtful, he rushed to the bank to get his money back. 4. Appealing to Islamic sensitivities, Iraq said Wednesday it defied U.N. sanctions and flew pilgrims to Saudi Arabia out of religious and humanitarian concerns. 5. At the United Nations, Egypt was quietly negotiating a plan to fly the pilgrims without violating the sanctions. 6. Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reject Libyan requests to allow two jets to fly pilgrims to Mecca in violation of U.N. sanctions. 7. Egypt offered another possibility, lobbying for a U.N. waiver on humanitarian grounds for its own aircraft to fly the pilgrims from Libya. 8. Egypt has received U.N. permission to fly Libyan pilgrims and has had its airlift under way for a week. 9. For the third year, Egypt has stepped in to fly the pilgrims. 10. For the past three years, Egypt has stepped in to fly the pilgrims. |