[WoofDog123]

"I like to think the Lybian agreement is real, but who's to say? It sounds like William Safire isn't sure himself."

I am not in any way an apologist for quadaffi, but some of the thoughts that come to mind here are

1. Economically he stands to gain a LOT from this.
2. He apparently had a shipment of stuff busted recently, and that would have become a front-page issue otherwise. The current american administration isn't shy about exercting its reach, covertly or otherwise.
3. I have read about him surviving a recent coup? This could tie into #2.
4. People do change, though usually from serious health issues or death close to them. That could be at work here, he is not getting any younger.

[EvilOverlord]

I remember reading articles on FR about Khadaffi distancing himself from Arabs in favor of Africa. It seems to me that one of the primary reasons for a guy like him to oppose the US is to be respected as a great leader of Arabs, since their leaders define themselves by their ability to stand up to America and the Jews.

If he wants to be a great leader of Africa now, rather than of Arabs, the need to oppose America is not as strong, and the benefits of being a friend of America are great, at lease as far as removing sanctions and receiving economic aid.