British Petroleum to return to Libya

British energy giant BP said that it would seek to return to Libya to continue its exploration programme “when conditions allow” as Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi faces imminent defeat.

“We intend to resume our activities and return to the country when conditions allow,” a BP spokesman said.

The London-listed oil giant evacuated its expatriate staff in February when a popular revolt broke out against strongman Gaddafi.

BP s Libyan operations are still in the early stages of development so the company did not have much infrastructure there.
The spokesman added that BP had been about to start drilling in the desert in the Ghadames basi and it was keeping in contact with its 100 local staff who remain in Libya.

A 2007 accord with Tripoli allowed BP to drill in the Mediterranean s Gulf of Sirte at depths of around 1,700 metres (5,500 feet) and at the onshore site near Ghadames.

The deal faced criticism in the United States, with suspicions that BP lobbied for the release of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, to push through the agreement.

Libyan Megrahi is the only person ever convicted of blowing up a US airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988, killing 270 people, mostly Americans.

BP ready to begin oil drilling off Libya

LONDON: Oil giant BP has confirmed it will begin drilling off the Libyan coast in the next few weeks.

The deepwater drilling will take place in the Gulf of Sirte following a deal signed in 2007 with Libya on oil and gas development.

The news comes amid major concerns over BP”s environmental and safety record following the Gulf of Mexico spill.

It also follows claims, denied by BP, that it lobbied for Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi”s release.

The Libyan was convicted of blowing up a Pan Am jumbo jet over the Scottish town in 1988, killing 270 people, but was freed by the Scottish government on medical grounds last August.

When the deal with Libya”s National Oil Company was announced in 2007 BP set a minimum initial exploration commitment of $900m.

Chief executive Tony Hayward at the time hailed it as “BP”s single biggest exploration commitment” and “a welcome return to the country for BP after more than 30 years”.

BP spokesman David Nicholas told AFP news agency on Saturday: “We expect to begin the first well in the next few weeks”, adding that the wells “can take six months or more to drill”.

The Libyan well is deeper than the well that ruptured under the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Deepwater Horizon blew up on 20 April, killing 11 workers.

EU to offer free trade to Palestinians

BRUSSELS: The European Union says it plans soon to grant duty-free access for Palestinian products.

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EU to offer free trade to Palestinians

Susan Boyle expected to sing for the Pope

LONDON: Singing sensation Susan Boyle is expected to perform for Pope Benedict during his visit to Britain, the Scottish church said on Thursday.

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Susan Boyle expected to sing for the Pope

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