U.S. and Libya sign technology deal

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Libya's foreign minister met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss a bilateral science and technology deal.

Libyan Foreign Minister Abdel-Rahman Shalqam spoke with Rice in Washington regarding cooperation on a wide range of issues ranging from disease control and earthquake research, The Washington Post reported Friday.

"We hope this agreement that we sign today will give our citizens even greater opportunities and incentives to work together," Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky said following the meeting.

The agreements provides a framework for the United States and Libya to cooperate on water resources, public health, space and other scientific disciplines, a U.S. State Department release said Friday.

The agreement provides a governmental partnership on private, academic and non-governmental agencies for the establishment of science-based industries and the promotion of job growth.

"Relations between the United States and Libya are very important to us ... We want a new friendship," Shalqam said.

The U.S. removed Libya from its list of terrorist states in 2006 and trade between the nations totaled $3 billion in 2006, mostly from Libyan petroleum exports to the United States.