The United States ended 23 years of restriction on travel to the North African nation of Libya. This was followed the Libyan government’s announcement that it would begin destroying its arsenal of chemical warhead-capable bombs, and a reaffirmation of responsibility for the bombing of Pan American Airways flight 103 in 1988. The travel ban was enacted when the United States began to consider Libya as a state sponsoring terrorism. The US hopes companies will begin returning to Libya, and that Libya will begin to expand its diplomatic presence in the United States.
An explosion in the Jinshanpo coal mine in northern China killed 28 of the 32 workers inside on Monday, March 1. The mine, which was unlicensed, did not have the ventilation equipment necessary to prevent a buildup of flammable gasses. The gasses eventually ignited and caused the explosion.
Shiite Muslims celebrating the Ashura festival in Iraq were disrupted by explosions and mortar shells attacks ripped through Karbala on Tuesday, March 2. The festival is viewed by Shiite Muslims as a sign of their devotion, and was barred for 30 years under the rule of Saddam Hussein for fears it might incite rebellion. The festival was carried out under increased security amid fear of attacks by some militant Sunni Muslims, who dislike the growing dominance of the Shiites in Iraq. Nearly 200 people are believed to have been killed in the attacks.
With nine wins in ten states holding primaries on Super Tuesday, John Kerry effectively secured the Democratic presidential nomination. Kerry’s main opponent, Senator John Edwards, announced he would be dropping out of the race after failing to win more support. Howard Dean, who stopped actively seeking the nomination two weeks ago, kept Kerry from a clean sweep by winning his home state of Vermont. Kerry’s nomination is all but assured, as no other serious contender remains. This is despite 21 states still holding primaries in the months leading up to the Democratic National Conference in June.
The Caribbean nation of Haiti is in a state of turmoil following the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The circumstances of his departure are unclear; Aristide reportedly claims to have been either kidnapped or forced out of the country, while other sources say he willingly left. With Aristide out of power, US forces have been dispatched to Haiti to help keep peace and order in the country, which has been embroiled in conflict between a group of rebels and the president, and now faces fighting between the police and pro-Aristide loyalists.