Minister visits Libya to foster trade links

Following on from Tony Blair's visit to Libya last month, it has been announced that Trade Minister Mike O'Brien will visit Libya tomorrow on a two-day visit.

Mr O'Brien, who visited the north African nation in August 2001, was the first time a British Minister met the Libyan leader. This time he heads to Libya with a group of senior executives from British business to "help take relations to the next level".

The British government and the Libyan authorities have been working hard to cement the improvement in relations after Libya's decision to its WMD programmes last December.

Ahead of the visit Mr O'Brien said: "I have been impressed with Libya's determination to turn words into deeds and re-engage with the international community. My visit aims to deepen the trade and investment bonds between our two countries. I shall also be offering our help to Libya as it faces the task of re-shaping its economy to face the challenges of re-engagement with the world economic system."

The Prime Minister visited Libya on 25 March following Libya's decision to abandon voluntarily programmes to develop nuclear and chemical weapons.

A team from the Metropolitan Police Service has already visited Libya to follow-up the investigation into the 1984 shooting of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan People's Bureau (Embassy) in London.

Mr O'Brien will deliver a speech at the 'Tripoli Economic Forum: Doing Business in Libya' on "Western Economic Policy towards Libya: Next Steps?" to an international audience of business people from key industries including oil and gas, construction, and finance; as well as key Libyan Ministers.

On his visit Mr O'Brien is meeting a number of Libyan government ministers, officials, and business people. He will also meet members of the resident local British business community.

(gmcg)