US to upgrade relations with Libya

April 10, 2007 (WASHINGTON) — The United States has been preparing to expand relations with Libya, the Middle East Newsline reported.

Officials said the Bush administration has approved talks that could pave the way for strategic and military relations with Libya. They said the effort could result in U.S. defense sales to the North African country.

“There has been a decision to accelerate the pace of relations with Libya, and the two sides will discuss options in several areas,” an official said.

The administration program was expected to be launched during the visit by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte to Tripoli this week. Negroponte, the highest ranking U.S. diplomat to visit the country since 1953, was scheduled to arrive in Libya as part of an African tour that would include Chad, Mauritania and Sudan.

(MENL)