- The US government has revived the visa section office in Libya yesterday, an indication that it has buried hatchets and ready to improve the diplomatic relations with Tripoli.
The section which had been un-operational for almost three decades, saw Libyan citizens traveling to the neighbouring states like Tunisia to gain access to American consular services.
Ambassador Gene Cretz said opening of the consular services in Tripoli was a sign of commitment on both Libya and the US to nomarlise relations. “With this step, we are sending the message to the Libyan people, our doors are open for business, study and travel,” he said.
Mr Cretz was confirmed by the US Senate in November as Washington's first ambassador to Libya in 36 years, capping the restoration of ties between the two former foes.
US-Libyan relations were restored in early 2004, more than two decades later, after Mr Gadaffi announced that Tripoli was abandoning efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction.
In 2006, US announced a full normalisation of ties, dropping Libya from a State Department list of state sponsors of terrorism and raising diplomatic relations to level of ambassadors.
The last hurdle to normal relations was removed in October 2008 when Libya paid the United States 1.5 billion dollars as part of a settlement agreement to compensate families of Libyan terrorist attacks.
Relations had worsened between Washington and Tripoli after a Pan Am flight was blown up by Libya over Lockerbie, Scotland during a London to New York trip in 1988, killing 270 people.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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