Libya: from “axis of evil” to ally in the “War on Terror”
Vilified for his support of militant groups from the IRA to the PLO, Libya’s leader Colonal Gaddafi was considered the single most dangerous terrorist through the 70s, 80s and 90s, leading to US military strikes against Tripoli and the imposition of trade sanctions. Sanctions were lifted in 1999 after Libya handed over two suspects in the Lockerbie plane bombing case. By formally accepting responsibility for the bombing and announcing that it would abandon attempts to develop weapons of mass destruction, Tripoli has opened the way for better relations with the west. Responding to this olive branch, Tony Blair made a historic visit to Libya earlier this year. Now the Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer is renewing ties with the dictatorship – he visited Libya last week and announced the reopening of our embassy, which was closed 17 years ago. Dr Glen Barclay of the Australian National University is an expert on international relations – he spoke with Alex Sutcliffe.