Inside Report (2)

January 16, 1981

Is President Sadat getting ready to strike out at next-door neighbor Libya?

According to Western diplomatic analysts, Egypt is cranking out fresh propaganda against the Libyans.The analysts believe this could be a calculated prelude to unilateral or joint action against Libya in the near future.

Sadat is a bitter foe of Libyan strong man Muammar Qaddafi, although as recently as 1972 their two countries considered merging. In 1977, their respective armed forces engaged in brief border skirmishes.

Sadat and other African leaders have grown increasingly displeased with Quddafi's influen ce in Chad, which formerly had been pro-Egyptian.m