D'Alema in Libya marks the beginning of European openness

Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema arrived on Wednesday in Libya in a visit which is the first for a Western prime minister since the UN imposed sanctions on Tripoli in 1992 because of the Lockerbie incident.

D'Alema, whose visit will last for 24 hours, was welcomed by the secretary of the Libyan people's committee (prime minister), Muhammad al-Manqoush, and other Libyan officials. He will also meet with Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi.

D'Alema was quoted by the Libyan news agency as saying in an arrival statement that, "Italy found that it is its duty to contribute today positively in developing Libya's relations with the European Union and to be a bridge of exchange between Libya and the EU."

He continued, "It is possible today to establish relations based on equity and mutual respect and exchange between the two sides."