This "shows that problems of proliferation can, with good will, be tackled through discussion and engagement," Blair said

LONDON, December 20 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Britain and the U.S. announced late Friday, December 19, that Libya had agreed after nine months of discrete diplomacy to scrap programs to develop weapons of mass destruction "immediately and unconditionally".

In a surprise statement live on television, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tripoli has told his government that it would dismantle its program of weapons of mass destruction after it had sought to develop WMDs capabilities and longer range missiles, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Libya has now declared its intention to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction completely," after nine months of talks between the two governments that began in March, Blair said.

Hailing the decision as "courageous" and "historic", Blair said Libya would further limit the range of its missiles to no greater than 300km.

"It will make the region and the world more secure. It shows that problems of proliferation can, with good will, be tackled through discussion and engagement," he added.

Blair said he had spoken to Libyan Leader Colonel Mumar Gaddafi, although he did not specify when, "to say that, as the process of dismantlement goes forward I now look forward to developing a productive relationship with him and with Libya."

Speaking in the city of Durham, northeast England, Blair said : "Libya should carry out the commitments announced today.

"Libya should also fully engage in the war against terror."

The actual Libyan announcement was far more low-key, in the form of brief official statement distributed to journalists in Tripoli.

"Libya reaffirms its commitment to respect all conventions, including the addendum protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treat, and declares itself ready to welcome any international inspection mission," it said.

The statement acknowledged that Libya had "tried to develop its defensive capabilities when its calls to make the Middle East and Africa zones exempt from all weapons of mass destruction went unheeded".

In a statement carried by the Libyan news agency, Gaddafi called his move a "wise decision and a brave step that merit support from the Libyan people."

'Immediately, Unconditionally'

"Gaddafi’s commitment, once it is fulfilled, will make our country more safe and the world more peaceful," Bush said

For his part, U.S. President George W. Bush stressed that Libya had renounced all of its programs to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons "immediately and unconditionally."

He asserted that Libya had begun "the process of rejoining the community of nations".

"And Colonel Gaddafi knows the way forward," Bush said.

He, however, made clear that he and Blair were not yet prepared to take the Libyan leader entirely at his word.

"Libya has a troubled history, but America and Britain will be vigilant…Colonel Gaddafi’s commitment, once it is fulfilled, will make our country more safe and the world more peaceful," said Bush.

"Libya can regain a secure and respected place among nations and over time can achieve far better relations with the United States," he added.

Bush also said that the Libyan leader had instructed Libyan officials to provide U.S. and British intelligence "with documentation on that country's chemical, biological, nuclear and ballistic missile programs and activities."

"Our experts in these fields have met directly with Libyan officials to learn additional details. Opposing proliferation is one of the highest priorities of the war against terror," said Bush.

"As Libya becomes a more peaceful nation, it can be a source of stability in Africa and the Middle East. Should Libya pursue internal reform, America would be ready to help its people to build a more free and prosperous country.

"And when leaders make the wise and responsible choice, when they renounce terror and weapons of mass destruction, as Colonel Gaddafi has now done, they serve the interest of their own people and they add to the security of all nations," Bush concluded his surprise eight-minute televised speech.

The Libyan decision is the latest in a series of steps taken by Tripoli to open up to the international community, remove long-standing international and U.S. sanctions and clear poisoned relations with the U.S. and Britain.

After formally accepting responsibility for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Libya signed with families of the victims an agreement to set up a 2.7 billion dollars compensation fund.

In consequence, the Security Council lifted last September U.N. sanctions on Libya, clearing the way for payments to begin to the families of the victims.

The latest move could further pave the way for lifting U.S. sanctions against Libya, imposed in the wake of the Lockerbie bombing.