UK unveils energy, defence deals with Libya


British Prime Minister Tony Blair has hailed relations with Libya on his swansong tour of Africa.
Mr Blair met Libyan leader Colonel Moamar Gaddafi as Libya announced a $US1 billion exploration deal with British energy giant BP.
Mr Blair also said major defence contracts would be signed with the North African nation.
Afterwards he spoke of the two countries' improved relationship.
"The relationship between Britain and Libya has been completely transformed in these last few years," he said.
Mr Blair hailed the strong cooperation on defence and fighting terrorism between Britain and the OPEC member state.
"We now have very strong co-operation on counter terrorism, on defence, a commercial relationship that is simply going on from strength to strength," he said.
"It's...an indication of how relations between two countries can change."
Mr Blair first visited Libya in 2004, sealing Tripoli's return to the international fold after it abandoned efforts to acquire nuclear weapons and agreed to pay damages for a 1988 airliner bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland that killed 270 people.
- BBC/Reuters
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