afrol News, 3 April - 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.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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