http://www.drudgereport.com/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3335965.stm
Libya to give up WMD
Gaddafi's government negotiated with the US and UK
Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi has admitted his country was developing weapons of mass destruction, but will dismantle its secret programme.
He told the official Libyan news agency he was ready to play its role in building a world free from all forms of terrorism, after months of negotiations with the West.
The process of dismantling the programme would be "transparent and verifiable" and the range of all Libya's missiles would be restricted to 300km, he said.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair revealed the unexpected decision and called it "an historic one and a courageous one and I applaud it".
International forces will now go into Libya to assist with the dismantling process, which could take years.
Analysis: Gaddafi in from the cold
The US and its allies have long suspected that Libya had secret chemical and bio-weapons programmes, however Libya always denied such allegations saying it had only facilities for pharmaceutical or agricultural research.
In 1995 the country reopened its Rabta pharmaceutical plant, at Qabilat az Zaribah, which prior to its 1990 closure had produced up to 100 tons of chemical weapons, according to the US.
But chemical weapon production at Libya's underground Tarhuna facility is thought to have been suspended following intense public scrutiny.
UK officials believe Libya was close to obtaining a nuclear weapons capability before the deal.
US President George Bush said Colonel Gaddafi had agreed "immediately and unconditionally" that international weapons inspectors could enter Libya.
"Colonel Gaddafi's's commitment, once fulfilled, will make our country more safe and our world more peaceful," President Bush said.
"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."
Mr Blair said Britain had been engaged in talks with Libya for nine months.
"Libya came to us in March following successful negotiations on Lockerbie to see if it could resolve its weapons of mass destruction issue in a similarly co-operative manner," he said.
The decision entitled Libya to rejoin the international community, Mr Blair said.
"It shows that problems of proliferation can, with good will, be tackled through discussion and engagement, to be followed up by the responsible international agencies.
"It demonstrates that countries can abandon programmes voluntarily and peacefully."
Mr Blair contrasted Libya's voluntary relinquishment of weapons of mass destruction with Iraq's defiance, which led to military action and the toppling of leader Saddam Hussein.
During three weeks in October and early December a team of experts from Britain and the United States had visited Libya and been given access to projects, including uranium enrichment, under way at more than 10 sites.
The team was also shown "significant quantities" of chemical agent and bombs designed to carry it, British officials said.
The Libyan Government said it had shown the experts equipment that could have been used to develop "internationally banned weapons".
It said it had now decided to abandon the programme of its own "free will " and to admit weapons inspectors.
Libya called for other countries to follow its lead.
It said: "By taking this initiative, (Libya) wants all countries to follow its steps, starting with the Middle East, without any exception or double standards."
BBC world affairs editor John Simpson said Libya had not been at the centre of the war on terror.
But it had always been regarded as a "friend of terrorists" and had, for example, helped the IRA in the 1970s.
BBC correspondent in Jerusalem, James Reynolds, said Israel would be "surprised and relieved" by Mr Blair's announcement.
"Israel's main hope will be that the announcement puts additional pressure on Iran."
But he added: "It may also refocus attention on Israel's own nuclear weapons programme."