Mixed response to PM's Libya trip

The prime minister's visit to Libya sticks in the throat of many papers, though the Sun is among those in favour of the trip.

"Tony Blair may feel like holding his nose while shaking hands with the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi", writes the Sun's political editor, Trevor Kavanagh, "but it's in Britain's interests to have Libya inside the allied tent spitting out, not outside spitting in".

A "handshake with a man of blood", is how the Daily Mail sees the meeting.

For the Daily Mirror, the visit will be "confusing and unsettling". The paper says that even though it doesn't want to see Britain's elected leader paying homage to a dictator, risks have to be taken in diplomacy.

But the Daily Telegraph - echoing the concerns of the Conservative leader Michael Howard - asks if it is right for the prime minister to meet Colonel Gaddafi so soon after attending the memorial service for those killed in the Madrid bombings.

EU constitution

The Times reckons Mr Blair's trip to Spain, rather than Libya, will prove the more significant.

The paper claims that the new Spanish Prime Minister is prepared to negotiate on a proposed new EU constitution, meaning that the issue - which seemed dead in the water last year - has come back to haunt Tony Blair.

The Independent takes a lighter tone, seeking to calm its readers' fears by exploding a number of what it calls "Euro-myths".

The paper insists Britain will not lose control of taxes, be forced to end car boot sales or re-name brandy butter, "brandy spreadable fat".

There is good news for those partial to a bit of spreadable fat, according to the Daily Express, whose front page heralds the "end of heart disease".

Health improvements

The paper's been looking at a government health advisor's prediction that in 10 years' time no-one under the age of 65 will die from coronary heart conditions.

It says "we're seeing the first dramatic results of the long-awaited improvements to the health service".

The Times warns that more needs to be done to tackle obesity and lazy lifestyles.

Finally, number of papers carry the story of an exercise enthusiast who might have profited from a more slovenly work-rate.

The Times explains that a court in Bournemouth was told on Wednesday how Ashley Carpenter slashed the tyres of more than 500 cars last December.

The paper says Carpenter developed a grudge against motorists because he had nearly been knocked off his bike when a car hit a puddle and splashed him.