DUP MPs Nigel Dodds and Jeffrey Donaldson have described their trip to Libya to seek compensation for victims of IRA violence as constructive and a “positive first-step engagement” with the Libyan authorities on the matter.
The MPs were part of a five-member delegation that met a number of high-ranking Libyan politicians, although not Col Muammar Gadafy.
The visit constituted a “major milestone in our campaign on behalf of all those who have suffered because of Libyan involvement in helping IRA terrorism”, the two politicians said on their return yesterday evening.
Mr Dodds and Mr Donaldson, who flew to Tripoli on Saturday, put forward a package which includes Libyan investment in Northern Ireland, that would address the issue of compensation.
“We presented a proposal that Libya participate in a humanitarian programme for peace and reconciliation for the benefit of all affected in the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland.” The MPs said the Libyan authorities were ready to consider further details of the proposals, which would be sent to them this week.