US to ease some Libya restrictions

The Bush administration is expected to lift travel restrictions on Libya next week and is considering providing humanitarian and eventually other types of aid as a reward for dismantling its weapons programs, people involved in the deliberations said on Tuesday.

With ties warming rapidly, the administration has told key lawmakers that it intends to take the first tangible step toward easing its sanctions on Libya by lifting restrictions on the use of US passports for travel to Libya. An announcement is expected by February 24, when the measures come up for review.

The administration is expected at the same time to ease sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, to allow US citizens to spend money should they visit Libya.

The United States could also ease the way for the sale of medical supplies to upgrade the country's hospitals, congressional sources said.

The administration is considering sending evaluation teams in areas such as health care to see how the United States might help Libya, and it may seek waivers under existing sanctions to provide medical equipment and supplies.