'Libyan WMD move driven by economic motives'

But Britain, which played a key role in talks that persuaded Tripoli to abandon its arms ambitions, said the fate that befell Iraq and its leader Saddam Hussein may have prompted the move.

Libya's step, which could lead to the end of US sanctions and the return of US oil companies, marks an about-face for Muammar Gaddafi, the country's leader for 34 years.

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"We are turning our swords into ploughshares and this step should be appreciated and followed by all other countries," Libyan Prime Minister Shokri Ghanem told the BBC, adding that economic progress was more important than arms.

Britain, pivotal in isolating Libya after the Lockerbie bombing 15 years ago on Sunday, drew a comparison with Iraq, suggesting the fortunes of its deposed leader might have been different had Baghdad been more forthcoming over arms.

"We showed after Saddam Hussein failed to cooperate with the United Nations that we meant business and Libya, and I hope other countries, will draw that lesson," Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon told Britain's Sky television.

US intelligence officials said Gaddafi seemed the driving force behind the decision to come clean announced on Friday, and his motivation may have ranged from concerns about the Iraq war and a desire to rejoin the international community to concerns about domestic threats to his own rule.

Whatever the reason, Gaddafi's decision won praise from around the world, notably from President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair but also from European and Arab leaders who were strongly critical of their war on Iraq.

US and British officials said talks included secret visits to Libya in October and December to sites where they were shown parts of the country's chemical, nuclear and missile programs.

A team of American and British intelligence officers flew to Libya clandestinely in October and December for stretches of about two weeks, visiting sites where they were shown parts of the country's chemical, nuclear and missile programs.

The intelligence officers were accompanied at all times by Libyan intelligence, drivers changed cars along the way and the Westerners were ushered into office buildings for meetings with Gaddafi that started after 11 p.m.

"Operationally, we did conduct this entire business as secretly as we possibly could so it indeed was the result of a series of secret meetings in Europe and then of course trips clandestinely to Libya," a US intelligence official who was on the visits told reporters on condition of anonymity.