Libya considers Lockerbie responsibility; first of a kind UK meeting

Libya yesterday officially announced, for the first time, its "initial" readiness to pay compensations for the victims of the American PanAmerican plane in the Lockerbie incident, and to shoulder the responsibility for the event and this is so in order to "eliminate this obstacle."

Libya has always showed its desire to normalize relations with the US.

This was expressed following a meeting, which was the first of its kind, brought together Libya’s Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi and the minister of sate at the British foreign office Mike O Brian in a tent in the coastal city of Sert, where banners were raised welcoming the British visitors, and whose visit opened a new page in the troubled relations between the two countries.

The Libyan (foreign minister) Abdul Rahman Shalqam said that "in regard to the issue of compensation, Libya will do, in principle, something." He added "as for holding the responsibility for the incident -- Libya is discussing this issue.. We are ready to get rid off this obstacle." Shalqam showed Libya's desire to achieve reconciliation with the US. He said "we have to expand our bilateral cooperation with Britain. And we are totally ready to achieve reconciliation with the US and normalize relations with it."

British officials considered this Libyan statement as a Libyan announcement so far expressing Libya's readiness to fulfill conditions provided for lifting the sanctions imposed on it because it was convicted to be involved in the Lockerbie crash.