David Cameron secured an agreement to dispatch Scottish police to Libya to investigate the Lockerbie bombing during a surprise visit to the Libyan capital aimed at strengthening security and economic ties.
The British prime minister last visited Libya in September 2011.
The UK, as part of a Nato-led coalition, had played an important role in providing air support for the armed uprising that drove the former Libyan leader, Muammar Gadafy, from power.
Yesterday, he strolled through Tripoli’s Martyrs’ Square, chatting briefly with shopkeepers and pedestrians.
“There is no true freedom and no true democracy, without security and stability as well. We are committed to helping with that both here and also in your neighbourhood,” Mr Cameron said at a news conference.
Bombing
Mr Cameron announced that a UK team would be sent to Libya to investigate the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988, which Gadafy took responsibility for in 2003.
He also attended a police academy graduation ceremony, where he pledged support for Libya’s fledgling security forces. – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2013)