Qaddafi heads to France for talks

Colonel Muammar Qaddafi was to pitch his tent in Paris yesterday for an official visit that marks the Libyan leader's return to grace, after shedding his rogue image for that of trusted statesman ready to sign off on deals worth billions.

In keeping with Qaddafi's flamboyant persona, his visit is likely to be extravagant -- featuring deals to buy a fleet of Airbus passenger jets and possibly defense equipment, too.

But most symbolic for Libya's new status is France's plan to sell a civilian nuclear reactor to the country, once ostracized as a sponsor of terrorism.

It will be Qaddafi's first trip to France since 1973, though he traveled to Brussels in 2004 to extend an olive branch in a first step toward ending years of isolation.

For French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has made bold symbolism his leadership style, the gains could be multi-fold, from securing the hefty contracts to establishing a firm foothold in what some see as a new El Dorado.

A boost in French-Libyan relations, and a reactor sale, could also send a message to countries such as Iran, in a standoff over its nuclear program, that benefits await those that abide by international rules.

French officials are uncertain of the full program of the man whose official title is "guide of the revolution."

Sarkozy and Qaddafi are to meet twice for talks that are likely to focus on terrorism, and bilateral and strategic ties.