Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's trip to Libya signifies a new beginning in U.S.-Libyan relations.

"Normalized relations between the two countries enables the expansion of bilateral cooperation in a number of areas, including education and culture, commerce, science and technology, security and human rights," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a September 2 news briefing.

In addition to Libya, Rice will visit Portugal, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco from September 4 to September 7, he said.

Rice becomes the first secretary of state to visit Libya since John Foster Dulles in 1953.

"It's indicative of the kind of evolving relationship that we have, one in which we are building trust; we are building on areas of mutual interest and mutual benefit," McCormack said. "It's also an important milestone in marking the success of this administration's nonproliferation policy."

The relationship improved dramatically in 2003 when Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie terrorist bombing and announced that it would halt its pursuit of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The United States has removed many sanctions against Libya and also has removed Libya from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

The relationship took an even greater step forward when the United States and Libya signed a claims settlement agreement August 14. The settlement for outstanding lawsuits includes victims of the 1986 terrorist attack on a Berlin disco that killed three people and wounded 229 and the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people. It also provides for Libyans killed in 1986 when U.S. warplanes bombed Tripoli and Benghazi, reportedly leading to the death of 40 people.

"The conclusion of this agreement has been made possible also by action by the American Congress, which passed a new law [Libyan Claims Resolution Act] that President Bush signed on August 4," said Ambassador David Welch, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.

While in Tripoli, Libya's capital, Rice is scheduled to meet with Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, McCormack said. The two will discuss several bilateral issues -- including human rights -- during their meeting.

McCormack said during meetings in Portugal, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, Rice will discuss bilateral and regional issues that will include the president's freedom agenda in the region; building democratic institutions; the Israeli-Palestinian issue; counterterrorism cooperation; and efforts at strengthening democratic and economic reforms.