WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. government is open to the idea of Libya raising its level of diplomatic representation in Washington, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.
The comment came one day after Washington resumed diplomatic ties with Tripoli after a gap of 24 years. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli noted U.S. officials had invited Libya to open an interest section in Washington Feb. 28, but Tripoli had taken no action.
On Tuesday, the United States set up a liaison office in Tripoli, and Ereli indicated Washington would be open to Libya raising its level of diplomatic representation.
"Obviously we'd be willing to entertain I think whatever proposals are appropriate and necessary to conduct the level of business that we need to conduct," he said.
Ties between the two sides began to warm after Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi earlier this year pledged to give up weapons of mass destruction and end support to terrorist groups. Washington is, however, investigating reports of a Libyan plot to kill Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, an issue raised Tuesday by U.S. officials during a meeting with Gadhafi.
