WTO okays Libya as candidate for membership

GENEVA – In its latest success in moving from pariah state to international respectability, oil-rich Libya yesterday was accepted as a candidate for membership in the World Trade Organisation.

WTO members agreed unanimously to allow Libya to start negotiations on membership in the body that sets global rules on international trade. The process likely will take several years.Libya first applied for membership in December 2001, but the issue has never been formally put to the WTO before because it was clear that the United States would oppose the request.Under WTO rules, all decisions are made by consensus.But Libya has been slowly moving back toward international acceptance since leader Moammar Gadhafi agreed to give up his nuclear weapons program, revealed secrets about the nuclear black market and took responsibility for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103, promising to pay compensation to relatives of the 270 victims.Washington has resumed formal diplomatic ties with the country, where Gadhafi has ruled for 35 years.Libyan Ambassador Najat al-Hajjaji said it was important for her country to join the WTO, even though many developing countries complain that they do not get everything they deserve from it.Libya, which has a population of nearly 5,5 million, is working hard at encouraging tourism.- Nampa-APThe process likely will take several years.Libya first applied for membership in December 2001, but the issue has never been formally put to the WTO before because it was clear that the United States would oppose the request.Under WTO rules, all decisions are made by consensus.But Libya has been slowly moving back toward international acceptance since leader Moammar Gadhafi agreed to give up his nuclear weapons program, revealed secrets about the nuclear black market and took responsibility for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103, promising to pay compensation to relatives of the 270 victims.Washington has resumed formal diplomatic ties with the country, where Gadhafi has ruled for 35 years.Libyan Ambassador Najat al-Hajjaji said it was important for her country to join the WTO, even though many developing countries complain that they do not get everything they deserve from it.Libya, which has a population of nearly 5,5 million, is working hard at encouraging tourism.- Nampa-AP