Libya makes U.S. beauty a citizen

Story Tools

TRIPOLI, Libya (Reuters) -- Libya, which has been trying to thaw relations with Washington, has given a U.S. beauty contestant citizenship and named her as honorary consul to the United States.

The Libyan news agency Jana said Libya had named Tecca Zendik, a U.S. citizen who lives in the United States, to the post at an official ceremony in Tripoli at which she was also granted citizenship and a Libyan passport.

"Libya was convinced Zendik would play an effective role in the service of relations with the United States," it quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying at the ceremony.

Libya under Moammar Gaddafi remains on the U.S. list of states that sponsor terrorism and rapprochement has proved elusive despite its improving relations with Britain and other European countries.

Zendik went to Tripoli in November as the U.S. contestant in a beauty pageant, Miss Net World, whose winner -- British model Lucy Layton -- was chosen by votes via the Internet.

Amazing escape in Turkey jet crash • Gaps in Iraq document, Blix to tell U.N. • Al Qaeda suspects held in Karachi • Pakistan blasts India missile test

Official: 'Holes' in Iraqi weapons declaration • Pilot reported emergency • Amazing escape in Turkey jet crash • Pakistan blasts Indian missile test