Rice set for landmark Libya trip

Updated 09.42 Fri Sep 05 2008

Keywords: Libya, US, Condoleeza Rice

Condoleezza Rice is set to be the first US secretary of state to visit Libya in 55 years.

The trip to meet the country's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, signals improved ties between the two countries.

Dr Rice is said to be looking forward to the encounter with Mr Gaddafi, who was once called "the mad dog of the Middle East" by former president Ronald Reagan

Relations began to warm after Libya gave up its weapons of mass destruction programme in 2003.

But Dr Rice held back on visiting the former pariah state until a compensation package was signed last month to cover legal claims involving victims of US and Libyan bombings.

On her brief trip she will share Iftar - the meal for breaking the fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan - with Mr Gaddafi.

Dr Rice is said to be looking forward to the encounter with Mr Gaddafi, who was once called "the mad dog of the Middle East" by former president Ronald Reagan.

She plans, among other issues, to raise human rights concerns as well as regional conflicts in Chad, Sudan and the recent coup in Mauritania with him.

Dr Rice is also expected to push Mr Gaddafi on the compensation deal signed on August 14. No funds have been paid into it yet but lead US negotiator with Libya, David Welch, said he was optimistic it would happen soon.

Her spokesman Sean McCormack called the trip to Libya a "historic stop".

The last secretary of state to go there was John Foster Dulles in May 1953.