posted on May 31, 2007 02:05:55 PM
Blair hails new Libyan relations
The pair met in a Bedouin tent outside Tripoli
Tony Blair says Libya's Muammar Gaddafi is willing to join Britain in the fight against terrorism.
After shaking hands with Colonel Gaddafi at the start of the historic talks, the prime minister said there was real hope for a "new relationship".
People should not forget the past, they should move beyond it, Mr Blair said.
Thursday's Tripoli meeting follows Libya's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction in December. Mr Blair said such changes were "extraordinary".
After the talks took place Mr Blair headed to an EU summit in Brussels set to be dominated by the issue of security in the wake of the Madrid terror attack.
As Mr Blair met Mr Gaddafi, it was announced Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell had signed a deal worth up to £550m for gas exploration rights off the Libyan coast.
