A historical meeting between the Libyan foreign minister and his American peer
Libya-USA, Politics, 9/24/2004

The US secretary of state Colin Powell met with his Libyan counterpart Abdul Rahman Shalqam on Thursday in New York, in a first between the two countries at this level since ages.

The meeting reflects the recent evidence on the improvement of relations between the US and Libya following a long hostility because of the American accusations to Tripoli of supporting terrorism.

American officials said that it is evident that the " the issue of Libya's past support to terrorism will be discussed in the meeting and also what is stated on Libya's involvement in an alleged conspiracy to assassinate the Saudi crown prince Abdullah.

Improvements in the ties between the USA and Libya started when Tripoli accepted in 2003 to shoulder the responsibility over the blowing up of Pan American plane over Lockerbie town in Scotland in 1988.

Relations between the two countries witnessed a qualitative leap after Libya's decision on December 19, 2003 to give up its program to develop chemical, biological and nuclear weapons voluntarily.

As a reward for Libya's cooperation in the field of weapons, the US on Monday abrogated comprehensive trade embargo on Libya but kept sanctions connected to terrorism.

Previous Stories:
  American energy secretary considers visiting Tripoli   (9/22/2004)
  Libya welcomes lifting the American sanctions imposed on it   (9/21/2004)
  Washington might lift trade embargo form Libya today   (9/20/2004)

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