Blair welcomes Libya's WMD statement

Saturday, 20 December 2003 1:18 AM

Prime Minister Tony Blair last night said the decision by Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to dismantle plans to acquire weapons of mass destruction, was both "historic and courageous."

Speaking in Durham, the Prime Minister said the move would lead to Libya rejoining the international community.

Mr Blair, in a warning to "axis of evil" members Iran and North Korea, said rogue states willing to give up WMDs would find "ready partners" in the UK and US.

Speaking two days ahead of the 15th anniversary of Lockerbie on December 21, Mr Blair said: "This decision by Col Gaddafi is an historic one and a courageous one and I applaud it.

"It will make the region and the world more secure... It demonstrates that countries can abandon programmes voluntarily and peacefully."

Western powers had identified the security threat of the early 21st century, Mr Blair said. "It is the combination of terrorism and the development of nuclear or chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction.

"September 11 showed the world this new form of terrorism knows no limits to the innocent lives it will take. WMD are the means by which it could destroy our world's security, and with it our way of life."

Mr Blair said the war on terrorism was not a war on Islam. "We never have wanted, as our opponents falsely claim, to dominate the world, to wage war on Muslims or Arabs, to interfere with the legitimate rights of sovereign nations."

Across the Atlantic, George W Bush promised "good faith" by the US would be returned for the act.

"I hope that other leaders will find an example in Libya's announcement today," he said.

"Colonel Gaddafi's's commitment, once fulfilled, will make our country more safe and our world more peaceful.

"Leaders who abandon the pursuit of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them will find an open path to better relations with the US and other nations."

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