Libya has signed an accord with France on nuclear energy research which it hopes will help it generate atomic power to desalinate sea water for the desert country.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in Tripoli late last night by a team from the French atomic energy commission and the Libyan National Bureau for Research and Development.
Libya said the research would focus on developing radioactive products for industrial and medical uses. It also hopes to generate nuclear power for desalination plants to convert salt water into drinking water.
"We are securing the future for our inhabitants," said Libyan Labour, Training and Employment Minister Maatoug Mohammed Maatoug. "We have a shortage of drinkable water."
He said it would pave the way for French companies in Libya, help develop Libyan capabilities and boost joint research.
Libya cast off more than a decade of international ostracism in 2003 when it accepted responsibility and began paying compensation for the bombing of airliners over Scotland and Niger in 1988 and 1989