US Lifts Embargo on Libya

21/09/2004| IslamWeb

The US has formally lifted its trade embargo on Libya to reward Tripoli for giving up weapons of mass destruction. The action is largely symbolic as Washington suspended most commercial sanctions in April, allowing US companies to invest in Libya and to buy its oil for the first time since 1986. However, the country remains on America's terrorist blacklist. In March, Libya and Britain also opened a new chapter in their relations after Tripoli had agreed to compensate victims of the Lockerbie bombing in 1988. British Premier Tony Blair praised leader Muammar Gaddafi for renouncing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Tripoli's return from the diplomatic cold now appears complete. It has signed compensation deals for the 1986 Berlin disco bombing and for the attack on a French airliner in 1989. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Muammar Gaddafi. (Reuters)