I'm not even sure what to say about this, so I'll let the story tell itself.
According to Al-Jazeera:
The US is to help Libya build its first-ever nuclear power plant according to the African nation's official news agency, Jana.
...snip...
There was no immediate confirmation of the deal from the US, but any such agreement would continue a considerable thawing of relations between the two countries.
Well I guess Gaddafi is a Good Ol' Boy now.
Guma El-Gamaty, a researcher on Libyan affairs, told Al Jazeera: "It is a significant reward for Gaddafi and a sign of how far relations between America and Libya have come.
"Gaddafi's regime has become strong ally of America in its 'war on terror' ... supplying information about Islamic groups around the world that may prove a threat to the US."
He said: "This will send a diplomatic signal to other more crucial countries, like Iran and North Korea, that if they follow Libya's example and completely capitulate and give up to American pressure and toe the American line ... they will be rewarded."
I am personally in favor of nuclear energy. But I'd like to know a lot more about this alleged deal before I'll feel comfortable with it.
The deal to be signed shortly with the US would include building a nuclear power plant, helping develop water desalination capacity, joint research and technical projects and training Libyan technicians in the US.
[Update]
Here's some background info, via BBC:
Sanctions were lifted after Libya ended its nuclear weapons programme in 2003, and the US and UK have resumed diplomatic ties.
Libya was also removed from the US list of state sponsors of terror, a major step towards international rehabilitation.
Last year, Libya and France signed an accord for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Sorry for the lack of insight here, but I'm speechless. I'll update if I can find out more info. Talk amongst yourselves.
[Update]
The BBC reports that the deal is not what Libya is reporting:
But a US official told Reuters news agency that the Jana report "vastly overstates things".