Libya has accepted "general responsibility" for the shooting of a British police officer, Yvonne Fletcher, in 1984, a move which paves the way for the restoration of full diplomatic relations between London and Tripoli, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, announced yesterday.
The breakthrough came after the Libyan leader, Col Gadafy, reversed his position on the investigation into Ms Fletcher's murder outside the Libyan People's Bureau in London and agreed "to participate in and co-operate with the continuing police investigation and accept its outcome", Mr Cook told the House of Commons. Libya will also pay compensation to Ms Fletcher's family.
The decision "fully meets" the objectives set down by successive British governments to pursue the case and, coupled with the handing over of the two suspects in the Lockerbie bombing case earlier this year, would allow London to resume diplomatic relations, Mr Cook said.
The British Interests Section in Tripoli will be upgraded to full embassy status and an ambassador will be appointed "as quickly as practical".
However, asked if Libya had "accepted guilt" for Ms Fletcher's murder, Mr Cook said the term was "narrow" but Libya had accepted responsibility by the government for the actions of its agents. Libya had also condemned terrorism and pledged to co-operate in the international fight against it.
Ms Fletcher was shot while standing outside the Libyan People's Bureau as part of a police crowd control unit. Anti-Gadafy protesters had gathered outside the building in St James's Square when gunfire was heard and Ms Fletcher fell to the ground. Eleven demonstrators were also injured by the gunshots that were widely believed to have come from inside the bureau. But Libya refused to co-operate with the police investigation and diplomatic relations quickly broke down.
Ms Fletcher's family said in a statement they hoped for swift progress in identifying precisely who was responsible for her death: "We welcome their commitment to co-operate with the continuing Metropolitan Police investigation and to accept the outcome.
"We see the Libyan authorities' expression of deep regret and their offer of compensation as their acceptance of responsibility for Yvonne's death. But we have to live every day without her. Nothing can compensate for the loss that we still feel".
However, the film director Mr Michael Winner, who established the Police Memorial Trust, which honours officers killed in the line of duty, bitterly criticised Mr Cook's announcement, describing it as "a joke".
Mr Winner said the Libyan authorities knew who had killed Ms Fletcher and should hand them over immediately. Reuters adds: The US will not follow Britain's example and resume ties with Libya, at least until Tripoli offers compensation for the Americans killed over Lockerbie in 1988, the State Department said yesterday.