Most senior US official since 1969 visits Libya in unannounced trip...
The US assistant secretary of state, William Burns, last night met Muammer Gadaffi, the Libyan leader, in Tripoli to discuss the next steps needed for the normalisation of relations between Tripoli and Washington.
Mr Burns is the most senior US official to visit Libya since the 1969 coup.
Colin Powell, US secretary of state, said Mr Burns had had "good discussions" with Mr Gadaffi. Officials said he gave Mr Gadaffi a letter from President George W. Bush on ways to improve the two countries' ties. He is due to leave Libya today.
The previously unannounced visit was made possible by Libya's speed in following up the commitment made by Mr Gadaffi in December to dismantle his country's weapons of mass destruction.
Tony Blair, the prime minister, who played a direct role in secret negotiations on Libya's disarmament, is expected to fly to Tripoli for a few hours tomorrow to meet the Libyan leader, according to unofficial US sources.
