Qathafi visits the headquarters of the European Union, Bush alleviates sanctions

The Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi intends to visit the headquarters of the European Union next week with the aim to restore back complete natural relations between Libya and the EU member states.

A statement by the European commission said that this is the "first visit to be carried out by col. Qathafi for Europe in years." Interests during this visit will concentrate on several key issues.

In coincidence with the visit, the US President decide to reward Libya for its decision to quit its mass destruction weapons through alleviating several sanctions imposed on it.

American officials said that President Bush decided to permit the American companies to resume most of dealings with Libya, to buy the Libyan oil, as a reward for Tripoli for giving up its nuclear and biological programs.

The officials added that Bush is also preparing to end rules affiliate to Libya in Iran- Libya sanctions law, which allows him to punish non- American companies which invest more than USD 20 million annually in the sector of energy in any of the two countries.

The American officials -- who asked to be anonymous said that some of the American sanctions will continue to be valid, as assets of the Libyan government in the US will continue to be frozen as well as restrictions will continue to air travel and cooperation in the field of aviation.

They added that Libya will remain also in the American list of the terrorism sponsoring countries to which Washington bans the exporting of weapons and imposes restrictions on selling them items "of duel use" that can be used for military and civilian uses. The list obliged Washington to vote against loans from international financial organizations to these countries.