Text as broadcast by Libyan TV of a foreign ministry statement calling for a new start in foreign relations following the handover of the two Lockerbie suspects.

Following the resolutions of the basic people's congresses, as adopted by the General People's Congress, the latest of which was the resolution which was adopted on 14th December 1998.

As a results of the efforts which have been made by a number of countries and foreign dignitaries, as well as the good offices of the much-respected Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of South Africa and the UN Secretary-General, to find a peaceful solution to the so-called Lockerbie issue and guarantee a just and fair trial of the two suspects before a court in the Netherlands in the presence of foreign observers.

In accordance with the guarantees which have been agreed upon and which President Nelson Mandela mentioned in front of the meeting of the dynamic forces of the Libyan people in Tripoli on 19 March 1999.

Proceeding from the two suspects' conviction to go voluntarily before the above-mentioned court in order to be able to show the truth in the interest of everyone, and their willingness, with the agreement of their defence team, to travel to the Netherlands for this purpose.

The General People's Committee for Justice and Public Security has allowed them to travel in accordance with the arrangements made by the UN General Secretariat.

While the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Co-operation highly praises the invaluable and courageous stances taken by foreign countries as well as international popular, political and legal organisations, as well as their efforts which were a fantastic show of their solidarity and support for the Great Jamahiriyah (Libya), it hopes that a negative phase in international relations has now come to an end.

It hopes that a new opportunity has emerged for forging equitable relations based upon mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs; resolving disputes through dialogue and understanding; and repudiating all forms of violence, aggression and terrorism - relations that would serve common interest in all fields.