Libya to join US freedom march

WASHINGTON - Libya last night said it was willing to work with America to spread democracy after Washington restored full diplomatic ties to reward the state's renunciation of its WMD programme.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that culminating a gradual rapprochement, the US would reopen an embassy and remove Libya from a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Mustapha Zaidi, the head of Libya's Revolutionary Council, said last night that he hoped the two countries would co-operate in a "cultural debate to spread democracy around the world together", but hinted that Libya bore no blame for the cut in relations.

The two states have not had full ties for a quarter of a century, but relations swiftly improved after Libya gave up its nuclear weapons plans in 2003. The restoration comes as the US is pushing Iran to follow Libya's lead.

Rice said America was restoring ties "in recognition of Libya's continued commitment to its renunciation of terrorism and co-operation provided since September 11, 2001".

The US cut ties in 1980 and designated Libya a state sponspr of terrorism after its Libyan embassy was firebombed in 1979.

Zaidi, however, hinted that he felt Libya had never been in the wrong. "Libya [did not] initiate the cut. We are happy [the US] recognised the Libyan stance and corrected their position."

Some relatives of those killed in the 1988 Pan Am airliner bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, which Libya accepted responsibility for, were outraged at the warming of ties.

"It is absolutely appalling. It is a dangerous move and now they [the US] have rewarded the terrorists," said Susan Cohen, whose 20-year-old daughter was killed in the attack. "The only reason they are doing this is oil."

US oil firms have lobbied for better ties, hoping it would lead to their doing business in Libya.

- REUTERS