Libya leader lays wreath at site of WPC’s murder

Libya’s prime minister has made a historic visit to the spot where policewoman Yvonne Fletcher was shot dead outside the country’s London embassy in 1984.

Abdurrahim El-Keib visited the scene after it was announced a team of detectives from the Metropolitan Police would fly to Libya to continue their investigations into the murder.

The Libyan premier paused and bowed in front of the memorial to WPC Fletcher, and laid a wreath of white roses and carnations.

He has said his country and the UK will “work very closely together” over the crime.

WPC Fletcher, who was 25, was shot dead as she policed an anti-Gaddafi demonstration. The bullets which killed her and injured ten protesters came from inside the embassy.

Her death led to an 11-day siege of the building and the severing of diplomatic links between the UK and Libya.

Mr El-Keib worked with the opposition while in exile during Gaddafi’s dictatorship and said he knew some of those involved in the demonstration.

He told Prime Minister David Cameron: “The Fletcher case is a case that is close to my heart personally. I had friends who were demonstrating that day next to the embassy.

“It is a sad story. It is very unfortunate that it has anything to do with the Libyan people.

“I am here to tell you that we will work very closely together to resolve anything related to that issue.”

Visas for the Met detectives to travel to the war-torn country have been cleared, but no date for their visit has been released yet.