Philip Webster, Political Editor, left, reports, from Tripoli, where the meeting between Tony Blair and Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, got off to a frosty start,

"Tony Blair's whirlwind trip to Libya must be the weirdest meeting that the Prime Minister has had with another head of state. He admitted as much afterwards.

"He was asked by journalists: 'Wasn't it extraordinary for him to be shaking the hand of man who has admitted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and for arming the IRA?'

"Mr Blair said: 'I have sat down with Gerry Adams. It is an extraordinary thing, but since September 11 this is an extraordinary world.'

"The Libyan dictator has his own unique style of conducting business. Mr Blair's motorcade tore out of the airport along narrow country lanes, not towards a presidential palace but a dull green tent in a patch of muddy farmland

"As Colonel Gaddafi waited inside for Mr Blair to arrive, he could not resist nervously peeking out between the tent flaps to see if his visitor had turned up yet. The faces of 30 British journalists met his gaze and he hurriedly closed the gap once more.

"Finally the cameras were admitted to show the two men sitting some feet apart in low wooden chairs, in front of a splendidly eccentric tapestry of palm trees and camels.

"Colonel Gaddafi seemed tense. Mr Blair is the most important visitor that he has ever received. Today's meeting was a gamble for the Colonel too. He has received a lot of criticism from other Arab leaders for meeting the British leader.

"Mr Blair was tense too, judging by his nervously upright posture as they swapped greetings. The Libyan dictator by contrast lounged back in his chair. There were the usual pleasantries, with Colonel Gaddafi asking whether Mr Blair was tired from his flight, and Mr Blair saying it was good to be here after so long.

"When the moment came for the handshake, Mr Blair seemed to be keeping the Libyan leader at arm's length, making absolutely sure that he didn't get close enough to be kissed. That was the last thing he wanted.

"In the circumstances it would have been miraculous if it hadn't been a fairly frosty first few minutes, but British officials said afterwards that in fact they got on pretty well. Both of them relaxed visibly as time went on. They had an hour's straight talking, with only one official present each.

"When the two men walked from one tent to the next for lunch, it was noticeable however that Mr Blair was still keeping his distance to avoid being taken by the arm.

"They were served fish, couscous, olives and salad. I believe camel's milk was also available, but I doubt Mr Blair had any truck with that.

"The leaders apparently did not exchange gifts, as would have been usual. But so much about this meeting tore up the normal book of protocol. Generally, it would have been the Foreign Secretary who would have made the first visit to a country after a long break in diplomatic relations.

"Libya could be a useful ally to Britain, Mr Blair implied. It has very good reason to hate al-Qaeda, which rejects Colonel Gaddafi's secular dictatorship and has already tried to assassinate him.

"The Libyans have lots to give us in terms of intelligence. One of the things that Mr Blair announced in his press conference afterwards was the appointment of a defence co-ordinator to liaise between Libya and Britain.

"Both men need things to come out of this meeting. One concrete thing that Mr Blair was able to announce was the Shell deal on gas exploration. More is to follow, with British Aerospace in talks with Libya over the supply of civil aircraft.

"Today's visit was a big risk for Mr Blair. He admitted there could be pitfalls. But he said that old enemies who are prepared to repent and become new friends need to be welcomed, and can set a valuable example to others. He kept insisting that it was a risk he was prepared to take, as the potential gains were so great."