The cable shows that McCain was the dominant voice among the Congressional delegation in push for military hardware for Qadhafi.

“Senator McCain assured Muatassim that the United States wanted to provide Libya with the equipment it needs for its… security,” reads the cable.

McCain said that he understood the need for Libya to upgrade its existing ranks of C-130 Hercules aircraft. Libya had bought eight of the military cargo aircraft in the 1970s, but as bilateral relationships with the United States deteriorated, a ban of arms sales prevented the aircraft from being moved to North Africa. McCain pledged to do what he could to move the issue forward in Congress.