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US lifts air sanctions on Libya
The United States has lifted sanctions on Libyan air transport, says an official, the latest sign of warming ties between the two former foes.The move was announced during a high-level US visit to Tripoli, headed by senior state department official Paula Dobriansky, who held talks with Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmudi. The official said: "Mrs Dobriansky announced during this meeting that her country had lifted all air transport restrictions imposed on Libya, including the sale of aircraft." The announcement came two weeks after Libya was formally removed from a US list of state sponsors of terrorism, marking another step in its return to the international fold after years of isolation as a pariah state. The lifting of US economic sanctions on Libya [has] opened a new era in relations - especially since the Libyan government selected US oil companies: Occidental, Chevron and Amerada Hess in January 2005 to prospect for Libyan oil and modernise its oil facilities. Libya had Africa's biggest oil reserves. Dobriansky, who also met other Libyan officials, said that the US was ready to co-operate with Libyan companies in other economic and trade fields as well as health and training. Posted by: ryuge 2006-07-13 |
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