Throughout the 1980s, Libyan efforts continue to push for acquiring nuclear weapons from various sources.

American officials were pleased, however, that several industrial countries had agreed not to lend support to Libyan efforts, because of Libya's past record on behalf of groups identified as terrorist.

Some details of the Libyan effort to produce chemical weapons were reported tonight by ABC News.

Senegal, a former French colony which maintains strong ties to Paris, broke diplomatic relations with Libya in 1980 over suspicions of Libyan efforts to undermine the Government.

The secret Libyan effort to obtain nuclear arms became highly public last October when the China was seized in the Mediterranean.

Mr. Redman said the United States had provided information on the Libyan efforts to a group of 19 nations trying to develop ways to stop the spread of chemical weapons.

If successful, the Libyan effort would allow Colonel Qaddafi to strike targets throughout North Africa, as well as in Israel and the Arab world.

In the account of Libyan efforts, Mr. Spector said Libyan officials met at least twice in 1981 with Mr. Wilson and two associates.

Since war erupted in Yugoslavia, the island of Malta has long been a staging area for for Libyan efforts to evade the sanctions, Western diplomats contend.

"What we have seen is a program in the very initial stages of development," Dr. ElBaradei said of the Libyan effort.