Blair, Gaddafi in agreement
2004-03-25 19:36
London - British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi both "recognise the problems posed to the world by fundamentalism", an official travelling with Blair said on Thursday after the two leaders met in a tent near Tripoli.
"The discussion has ranged widely over global affairs and touched on many of the things you would expect them to touch on.
"The fundamental point is this - what we agree on is the need to unite together to recognise the problems posed to the world by fundamentalism and what fundamentalism produces, which is terrorism and extremism," Blair's spokesperson said.
"What we are not pretending is that we agree on every issue, but the bottom line is that we recognise the problems posed to the world by fundamentalism," he added.
The spokesperson spoke to reporters travelling with Blair after talks broke up for lunch after an hour.
Earlier the two leaders shook hands at the start of the historic meeting, finally ending two decades of animosity. "It's good to be here at last," Blair told Gaddafi with a smile.
Blair was to fly to Brussels later on Thursday. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA