SIRTE (Libya): British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew in to oil-rich Libya at the start of an African tour for talks with Moamer Kadhafi on a visit expected to see a major energy deal sealed.

Blair, kicking off a three-nation African tour less than a month before he leaves office, arrived in the capital Tripoli mid-afternoon and immediately flew on to the central coastal of Sirte, where he was to meet Kadhafi. The visit further highlights Libya's return to the international fold after years as a pariah state.

Blair last visited the north African country in March 2004, three months after Libya's dramatic decision to renounce ambitions to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

Tripoli announced ahead of Blair's arrival that it will sign a

900-million-dollar exploration deal with British energy giant BP, which would mark the company's return to Libya after a 33-year absence.

Speaking on his plane before leaving London, Blair said Libya has a vital role to play in fighting the spread of extremism, including Al Qaeda, and said Kadhafi had kept his pledges since returning to the international fold. “Some of the information they have provided has been extremely valuable in combating terrorism,” he said.—AFP