Twenty four years after the severance of relations between the U.S. and Libya, the two countries renewed diplomatic relations on June 28.
Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns met yesterday with Libyan President Mu’ammar Al-Qadhafi, and announced the opening of a U.S. Liaison Office in Tripoli.
This was Burns’ second visit to Libya in the past three months. Burns visited Al-Qadhafi on March, soon after Libya’s surprise decision to scrap its weapons of mass destruction programs.
During his June 28 visit, Burns delivered a message from President George W. Bush, stating that the U.S. is obligated to develop its diplomatic relations with Libya. The message also included the U.S. commitment to renew its political, economic, commercial, and cultural relations with Libya, reports Libyan daily Al-Jumhouriyya.
Despite the renewal of relations, the U.S. is still encouraging American citizens who visit Libya to remain cautious and alert.