Blair to meet Gaddafi
Tony Blair is to visit Libya in the near future following the landmark official visit by the “rogue” state’s foreign minister yesterday.
During Mohammed Abdulrahman Shalgam’s landmark visit to London he held talks with British counterpart Jack Straw as well as the prime minister.
The fresh diplomatic rapprochement comes after Colonel Gadaffi agreed in December to dismantle weapons of mass destruction.
Mr Straw said the meeting was “tangible proof” of good will between Tripoli and London.
The meeting – the first official high level ministerial meeting between the two governments since Britain restored diplomatic relations five years ago – discussed ways to improve political, commercial and cultural ties, leading to the return of Libya to the international community.
It also broached the killing of policewoman Yvonne Fletcher, who was shot outside the Libyan embassy in London twenty years ago.
But the Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF) said it was “unacceptable” for Mr Blair to meet Colonel Gaddafi before the killers of WPC Yvonne Fletcher were handed over.
Glen Smyth, chairman of the MPF, said: “I think it is wholly unacceptable that we are going to meet their head of state before they’ve handed over the suspects.
“This is a wholly solvable crime and unless and until they cooperate, they will continue to have the blood of a Metropolitan police officer on their hands.
“It is wholly unacceptable for one sovereign nation to go around murdering police officers going about their lawful duty.”
Mr Straw said Libya had pledged “enhanced” co-operation to “resolve” the murder.
He added that “good progress” had already been made with Libya implementing its December 19 agreement to dismantle weapons programmes.
Mr Straw said Mr Blair’s trip to Libya would be arranged “as soon as is convenient.”
