France wants to be buddies, arms Libya.

France wants a fresh start in relations with the United States and both sides have much to contribute to a renewed transatlantic partnership, Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said Monday.
He made the remarks before a visit to Paris Tuesday by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice aimed in part at repairing ties damaged by the U.S.-led war in Iraq, which France opposed.
"The moment has come for a fresh start in our relations," Barnier said in an interview with the French daily Liberation which was conducted late last week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
France and Libya have launched a high-level dialogue on defense and military cooperation.
France plans to use the dialogue to win agreement for several defense and military programs in Libya. The French Defense Ministry has been discussing cooperation programs that would include training, intelligence exchange and exercises between the militaries of France and Libya.
Over the weekend, French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie held a two-day visit to Tripoli in the first such trip by a Western defense leader to the North African state. This was the first visit by a French defense minister to Libya since the United Nations Security Council lifted an arms embargo in 2004. The European Union has also taken steps to restore weapons sales to Tripoli.