A terrorist no longer

[Theophylact]

US to Renew Full Ties with Libya:

The US is to renew full diplomatic relations with Libya after deciding to remove it from its list of countries that support terrorism.

The US has not had normal relations with Libya since 1980, and blamed it for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.

It lifted many economic sanctions and restored some ties in 2004 after Libya renounced weapons of mass destruction.

The US secretary of state said Libya had since shown a "continued commitment to its renunciation of terrorism".

Announcing the move to renew diplomatic ties, Condoleezza Rice praised Libya for its "excellent co-operation" in the US-led war on terror.

Washington will upgrade its liaison office in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to a full embassy.

Monday's decision was the result of successful diplomacy and came after a careful review of Libya's behaviour since 1993, a senior state department official said.

David Welch, US Assistant Secretary of State said it showed that when a state "adhered to international norms [it] will reap concrete benefits".

Tripoli hailed the move as "a significant step on the way to strengthening links" between the two countries.

Correspondents say the move was a highly anticipated decision that Libya felt was long overdue.

Tripoli's removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism will lift restrictions on foreign aid and arms exports, and is expected to boost economic activities between the two countries.

The announcement comes more than 25 years after diplomatic relations were severed following the 1979 sacking of the US embassy in Tripoli by protesters.

The US carried out air attacks on Libya in 1981 and 1986 and Tripoli was held responsible for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 270 people.

In 2003 Libya accepted legal responsibility for the attack and has since paid compensation to relatives of the victims.

It is also reported to have helped Western intelligence agencies with information about the Pakistan underground nuclear network.

In September 2004 President Bush ordered the end of many economic sanctions against Libya and allowed air flights between the two countries.

The restoration of full ties was delayed over concerns about Libya's human rights record, which the assistant secretary of state said must continue to improve.

Who knows? Maybe Saddam can make a comeback, too...

[ABH83]

So basically anyone who joins America in it's "war on terror" and gives up his arms is a good guy??

[Disley]

No need to give up conventional weapons and as long as you support the US, dictators are not only welcome but kept in power..

[Theophylact]

On the other hand, we treat Venezuela, a nation with a democratically elected leader, like an enemy: we're banning arms sales to it for its "lack of support for counter-terrorism efforts".

[SeanC]

Yeah, if you don't support the "War on Terror" then you're a traitor if you're a US citizen or an enemy of the US if it's a country's official stance.

[TOAD6147]

I think it's just a convenience to have a "new" country with which to deal economically. Just think of all the Levis, tennis shoes, tanks, and bombs they can sell them now that they are one again, an acceptable bedfellow.

[SiliconJon]

It is understood the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission which looked at Megrahi's conviction in 2001 discovered documents that were seen by the prosecution but not by the defence.

The documents, which relate to the timer which allegedly detonated the Lockerbie bomb, are believed to have come from the American CIA - which demanded that they were not disclosed.

[chipbgt]

Isn't this (taking countries off our enemy list and dealing with them diplomatically) EXACTLY the kind of thing you want the administration to do?