TRIPOLI, Libya, May 16 (UPI) -- Libya has welcomed restored ties with the United States after a quarter of a century of bad blood which at times escalated to military confrontation.
Libyans expressed their enthusiasm Tuesday, describing the development a great step towards mutual cooperation.
Daily al-Shams said America proved that it was serious about turning a new page with Libya, as the pro-government al-Jamahiriya newspaper stated that past confrontations between Libya and the United States were of no benefit to Libya.
Libyans harbor hopes for a better and more prosperous future following the simultaneous declarations Monday in Washington and Tripoli about the restoration of diplomatic relations.
"Yes we are happy and always call for distinctive relations with all countries of the world on the basis of mutual respect and benefits," university professor Ibrahim Khalifa told United Press International.
Ahmed, a civil servant, commented: "It is necessary to have balanced relations with America if we want to build a modern Libya and expand our economic and commercial relations with others."
Press officer at the Libyan foreign ministry Hassouna Shawish noted that U.S. companies have returned to the Libyan market according to certain arrangements that took into consideration the interests of both Libya and the companies.
"We will benefit from the capacities and experience of these companies and acquire their new technologies in various fields, especially oil and gas," Shawish said.
Libya ended its international isolation and lifted U.S. sanctions after paying billions of dollars in compensation to the victims of the 1988 Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie, the downing of a French airliner, the bombing of the West Berlin La Belle discotheque, and the shooting of a British policewoman.
The Saharan country also renounced pursuing the production of weapons of mass destruction and signed the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.
