Chirac hopes for strong relations with Libya with end of compensation issue
Libya-France, Politics, 1/10/2004

Libya and France yesterday closed an issue that has lasted 14 years, over the blowing up a French DC 10 plane, after the two countries had signed an agreement according to which Libya pays 170 million dollars as compensations for the families of the victims. A sum which is close to that paid to the families of the victims of the Pan American plane of Lockerbie incident.

Libya also dropped its demand to free the 6 Libyans said to be involved in the case, including the Libuan leader's brother in law, preferring to " leave judicial matters to judicial establishments," and this is in response to the French view points. Libya also stressed that its relations with Tripoli will witness "a new breakthrough in all areas.

Meantime, Paris expressed the hope that the year 2004 will be that of resumption of confidence and amity between Libya and France.

Following the signing ceremony, the Libyan foreign minister, Abdul Rahman Shalqam, met with his French counterpart, Dominique de Villepin. Shalqam said that relations between Libya and France were "good," and will become excellent following the signing of the agreement. Shalqam refused the confirm Libya's responsibility for downing the plane. He said that blowing up this plane was "a very painful act." For his part, De Villepin said that the final agreement concerning compensations for the families of the plane's victims is very important, and it opens new prospects between our country and Libya.

De Villepin added that "France will work now with the government of Qathafi to fight terrorism." He added "we support gradual normalization of the relations between the European Union and Libya.

Shalqam also met with the French President Jacque Chirac. The spokeswoman for the Elysee palace, Catherine Colona, said that during the meeting, Chirac expressed his hope that year 2004 will be the year of resuming amity and confidence relations between Libya and France.

For his part, Shalqam told journalists following the meeting, which lasted for 45 minutes, that French- Libyan relations "will witness a new breakthrough."

Previous Stories:
  Libya pays 170 million for families of the French plane   (1/9/2004)
  Qathafi: settling the file of the French plane victims is near   (12/10/2003)
  Qathafi expects near solution for compensations of Yuta victims   (12/8/2003)

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