Libya bans unauthorised Thurayas, to treat users as spies

Libya bans unauthorised Thurayas, to treat users as spies

Libyan government on Thursday warned that any of its citizens found using a Thuraya satellite phone without a permit would be treated as a spy for NATO.

Collaborating with the enemy

Report says the government said that people using Thurayas, one of the most easily available portable satellite telephones, without a permit would be charged with collaborating with the enemy, and may face a severe penalty.

"Any citizen who owns a device of the Thuraya brand must carry a permit allowing its use according to the laws and regulations in force," the report said.

"Spies among the traitors and the agents of ... NATO use the Thuraya telephones to give crusaders the coordinates of some locations to be bombed, which has caused the deaths of a large number of civilians," it added.

It also accuses the satellite company of funding the rebel movement, which was trying to topple leader Muammar Gaddafi, along with Qatar.

REUTERS/Shakira/Williams