US to restore full ties with Libya

The US restored full diplomatic ties with Libya on Monday, rewarding the nation for scrapping its weapons of mass destruction programmes.

The US restored full diplomatic ties with Libya on Monday, rewarding the nation for scrapping its weapons of mass destruction programmes.

Culminating a gradual rapprochement, US will reopen an embassy and remove Libya from a list of state sponsors of terrorism, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.

‘‘We are taking these actions in recognition of Libya’s continued commitment to its renunciation of terrorism and the excellent cooperation Libya has provided to the US and other members of the international community in response to common global threats faced by the civilised world since September 11, 2001,’’ she said.

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The two countries have not had full ties for over 25 years, but relations improved after Libya decided in December 2003 to give up its weapons programmes.

Ali Aujali, Chief of the Libyan Liaison Office in Washington, welcomed the move and said it had been expected.

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