Libya To "Dismantle Its WMDs": Blair

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."