Libya: Should EU lift sanctions?

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg have agreed to lift sanctions against Libya including an 18 year arms embargo.

Italy had pushed for the ban to be lifted so that it could supply the country with technical equipment to help curb illegal migration.

Britain's foreign secretary, Jack Straw told the BBC that agreement had been reached following Libya's "complete abandonment of its weapons of mass destruction programme" as well as its decision to pay compensation to the victims of Libyan-sponsored bomb attacks.

Do you agree with the EU's proposals? Should the sanctions against Libya be lifted?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I strongly disagree with the EU's proposals. They are both naive, and stupid. Col. Gaddafi has impressed the EU by 'playing the game', because he wants trade sanctions lifted, so he is appearing to co-operate. Saddam also wanted trade sanctions lifted; this is why he was prepared to sell cheap oil to France, Russia and China. It is ludicrous to suggest that Libya is no longer interested in a weapons programme. Having a weapons arsenal is the only effective deterrent against invasion from foreign forces.
Andy Bird, Cheshire, UK

There has to be some kind of benefit to a country which turns its back on terrorism David Hazel, Fareham, UK

There has to be some kind of benefit to a country which turns its back on terrorism and accepts the civilised way of dealing with the world. If not, then where is the incentive for any former terrorist to reform? For this reason, it is right to lift the embargo on Libya.
David Hazel, Fareham, UK

Of course, it is right to lift them. Why they have been imposed in the first place? To please the American cowardly policy which was and will stay inconsistent
Warren, Cleveland, US

I do not see this a goodwill action, but rather as a win-win situation. The EU is primarily interested in tackling the illegal immigration problem, whilst Libya has realised that continued isolation from the international community won't lead far ahead with the globalisation wave sweeping everyone without distinction. In any case, bridging the gaps between the two Mediterranean shores is not an alternative, but a necessity, because it is the only means of achieving long-term peace and shared prosperity.
Tarek Cheniti, Geneva, Switzerland

Typical labour consistency - start a war with one Dictator with only alleged terrorist links whilst making friends with and removing trade sanctions against another Dictator with proven links to terrorism and known to have funded acts of terrorism against the West! How members of this Government sleep at night is beyond me. They should hang their heads in shame.
Alan, Chichester UK

Sanctions - yes, weapons - no Ged, Liverpool

Sanctions - yes, weapons - no. The question is though have the sanctions made one iota of difference to the way Gaddafi has ruled, of course they haven't. Let's do a comparison, Libya under sanctions since God knows when. Result, ruled by same ruthless dictator. Iraq, invaded/liberated on its way(albeit slowly)to modern democracy despot in jail. Which method seems to actually make some difference?
Ged, Liverpool

Yes it is the right decision. Surely it's better to talk and/or trade than end up fighting?
Paul, Surbiton, England

If equipment and materials that could be used to make nuclear arms have disappeared from Iraq, what is the likelihood that they could find their way to Libya, and Gaddafi may exploit EU proposals to lift sanctions against Libya?
Andy Bird, Cheshire, UK

Lift sanctions on everything else, yes, but not arms. In fact it should be illegal to sell arms to any country.
PJ, W. Yorks, UK

A good day for peace and security in the world? Jim Kirk, Basildon, UK

Jack Straw said that this is a good day for peace and security in the world? Is this the same Mr Straw whose government made such a fantastic job of assessing security risks prior to Iraq?
Jim Kirk, Basildon, UK

Click on the link here on the right: "Country Profile: Libya". Scroll down and find the line "Main exports: Crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas". Stop wondering why the UK is now making friendly noises towards a regime that has always disregarded human rights, and will continue to do so.
Andrea, Reading, UK

Double standards by politicians will never cease.
Raymond Rudaizky, London

Why is the European Union all of a sudden embracing this man with open arms? Doesn't anyone realise that thousands of Libyans try to flee their country for Italy every day? There is something wrong in Libya when nobody wants to live there. Gaddafi is a man with a bad history and bad present.
Primo Gotti, Italy

Might is right and money speaks. It is always the sad truth. A poor country has to follow what the rich ones say. A dictator can do what the big guns want and be acceptable. That's it.
Sohail, Tottenham, Canada

It's premature to lift sanctions on Libya now Amiel, Belgium

I think it's premature to lift sanctions on Libya now. A few months of "good behaviour" by the Libyan dictator can't just wipe away decades of human rights abuses and support of terrorism.
Amiel, Belgium

What is this if not negotiating with terrorists? In a week when an innocent civilian died because of my government's non-negotiation rule I find this action a complete joke. The hypocrisy is overwhelming. Lockerbie has been too quickly forgotten.
Siobhan Gallagher, Glasgow, Scotland

Yes, of course the EU is right to lift the embargo, but let's not forget that Libya has been a loose cannon in the past and can roll in any direction across the deck. They will need watching for quite some time to come.
Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, The Netherlands

This shows the sincerity of the 'war on terror'. Yesterday's terrorists and dictators are today's statesmen who we can sell weapons to. The hypocrisy of western governments is all too telling.
Bilal Patel, London, UK

Yes, the sanctions should be lifted. The best way to deal with rogue regimes is through engagement rather than isolation. Libya still has a long way to go, but they have taken a few positive steps towards reform, and for that, they should be rewarded.
Noah Adams, Pittsburgh, PA USA

A beacon of hope for peace in our very conflicted world Madeleine Dunn, New York, NY, USA

Libya has a history of being involved in terrorism and despicable acts. However, since the regime has been making an effort to reform, renounce terror and join the civilised world, it is a good thing to lift the embargo. The symbolism of Europe embracing the gesture of friendship from an Islamic mideastern nation is a beacon of hope for peace in our very conflicted world.
Madeleine Dunn, New York, NY, USA

I have to wonder what message this sends from the West. Libya is not a democracy - very far from it. Its people are just as in need of freedom as the people of Iraq.
Katherine, London, UK

The stupidest thing I have ever heard has just occurred. Europe is rewarding Libya for surrendering its WMD programme by allowing it to purchase MORE weapons from Europe. Does that many ANY sense??
Meghan Myres, Canada

The country has renounced weapons of mass destruction, renounced terrorism, and signalled its intent to rejoin the civilised world. Of course the sanctions should be lifted. This is a great success of peace through strength.
John C, New York, USA

It just shows they do not really care about what he has done. As long as Libya does what it is told, it will be welcomed with open arms. This policy is disgraceful as it simply shows the self-centred nature of politics today.
Khaled Arikat, London, UK

We should be seen to reward Libya for its change of heart John, England

Proof that in this case the "carrot and stick" approach can work. Having used the "stick" of sanctions and international isolation on Libya, we have seen the abandonment of its WMD programme and a healthy change in attitudes towards terrorism. If we want other recalcitrant nations to come on-side, then we should be seen to reward Libya for its change of heart.
John, England

Sure, why not? Libya is fully complying with international demands and is actually doing very well in fulfilling them. I see no reason why the embargoes should not be lifted. Let the people of Libya live a prosperous life, that is after all, their basic right.
Ali, Lahore, Pakistan

Yes and yes. I believe that Libya has been humiliated enough already.
R.C. Robjohn, UK

Lift general sanctions by all means and perhaps lift sanctions on the specific equipment that Italy wants to supply but retain sanctions on all weapons and ammunition because anything else would be to arm a potential enemy of Italy and Europe.
Keith L, Rayleigh, England

If the country has truly ceased all involvement in terrorist activities, the sanctions have served their purpose and can be lifted. However, if there is the slightest fear that Libya might take even one step back in the direction of its past, the arms embargo should remain.
Charles, Thetford, Norfolk, UK