Britain's Straw hails Libya's weapons move as courageous

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2003

LONDON (AFP) — British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw hailed Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's decision to renounce weapons of mass destruction as "statesmanlike and courageous."

"This is an initiative taken by Col Kadhafi and he needs to be applauded in unqualified terms for what he has done," Straw told the BBC on Saturday.

"He has shown huge statesmanship in doing this," the foreign secretary said, whose government along with the US leadership was instrumental in bringing about the decision following nine months of secret talks.

"We all know Libya's history but you judge people on their conduct and, knowing as I do the course of these negotiations, I think it is both statesmanlike and courageous, the steps that he and his government have taken," Straw said....