Libya to scrap weapons of mass destruction

Qaddafi

Al-Jazeera reports that "Libya has announced it is to eliminate all its weapons of mass destruction. The North African country's foreign ministry said in a statement Libya 'had decided on its free will to... completely eliminate the internationally banned weapons of mass destruction.'

"The statement said the agreement was reached after meetings with 'experts' from Britain and the United States. No details were immediately available on the nature of these meetings, where they took place and when. The text, of which an excerpt was obtained by Reuters, said the decision was in line with Libya's pledge to make the Middle East and Africa a nuclear-free area. . . .

"In a surprise announcement to the White House press corps, US president George Bush said Colonel Muammar Qadhafi had agreed, after nine months of secret dealings with Washington and London, to destroy all of his weapons of mass destruction. 'With today's announcement by its leader, Libya has begun the process of rejoining the community of nations,' said Bush. 'And Colonel Qadhafi knows the way forward,' he said. 'Libya should carry out the commitments announced today. Libya should also fully engage in the war against terror. . . . Libya has a troubled history, but America and Britain will be
vigilant," he said. "Libya can regain a secure and respected place among nations and over time can achieve far better relations with the United States."

Gee, this couldn't have anything to do with Saddam Hussein and Iraq, could it? (Thanks to Jean-Luc.)