The U.S. is restoring normal diplomatic ties with Libya, a religiously excited outpost presided over by Lockerbie airline bomber Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi. (Fox News)

Qaddafi was once known here as perhaps the most dangerous man in the Middle East. President Reagan ordered air attacks against Libya in 1981 and 1986, the latter because of suspected Libyan sponsorship of a terrorist attack at a West Berlin disco frequented by American soldiers. Two Americans died there.

Since 2003, however, Libya has been held up as a model by the administration for the way aspiring nuclear weapons powers should behave. (AP)