It is a widely held view that Libya sponsored the violence of the IRA throughout the troubles, providing financial support, as well as arms and explosives.

Unionist representatives, led by DUP MP NIgel Dodds, have been prressing the Government in recent months to press the case for innocent victims.

In December, Prime Minister Gordon Brown hinted he would use his diplomatic power to support Ulster IRA victims in their search for compensation, but no aid has yet come forward.

Mr Dodds has indicated he wants to lead a delegation of victims to Tripoli to face Ghadaffi with his obligations towards victims of the violence he sponsored.

"In a Northern Ireland context, it is no exaggeration to say that the Provisional IRA could not have waged the campaign they did against the people of this country on anything like the scale we witnessed without the assistance of Colonel Ghadaffi," he said.

"As the US government rushes to soften its relations with this regime, our own government needs to realise and remember that Ghadaffi was directly responsible and complicit in the death of many people in the United Kingdom.

"The US pushed for and got compensation before appointing an Ambassador or embarking on new trade opportunities. The United Kingdom should be doing the same."

He added: "There should be no thawing in our attitude towards the Libyan regime until they compensate UK citizens from throughout our country who suffered at the hands of the terrorists that they armed and bank-rolled down through the years."