Libya works to put its mark on African continent

April 1, 2000
Web posted at: 6:27 p.m. EST (2327 GMT)

In this story: Accusations against the military Economic development is key RELATED STORIES, SITES

TRIPOLI, Libya (CNN) -- While this week's trip to Tripoli by U.S. diplomats was but the latest signal that Libya was slowly shedding its internationally imposed isolation, the North African country itself has long looked closer to home to bolster its confidence.

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has welcomed an influx of European and Asian investment in recent years, giving the country a more prosperous feel than it has had in decades. But geographically and economically, Libya considers itself the gateway to Africa -- and Gadhafi has made every effort to stamp the continent with a Libyan mark.

"He does have ambitions to be a big player," said David Butter of the Middle East Economic Digest. "He can't do much in the Arab world. Perhaps he thinks he can do a bit in the African continent."

VIDEO CNN's Nic Robertson reports Libya today is more prosperous today than it has been for decades. Under Moammar Gadhafi's often erratic leadership, the country has suffered mixed international fortunes. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS CNN's Nic Robertson: Can Libya restore its place in the world?

Gadhafi has been playing a role in Africa for decades, supporting rebel leaders who, in some cases -- like South Africa's Nelson Mandela -- have gone on to become international figures and strong allies.

Accusations against the military

But the Libyan military has also been accused of backing rebel groups like the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone, a group accused of atrocities in that country's nine-year civil war.

Libya has denied that charge but has also sent a clear message that it is looking for new ways to engage in pan-African affairs.

In the name of African unity, Libya is increasingly playing regional power broker -- able to do so because France and other traditional power brokers are losing influence.

"We are working on the interior problem of Sudan with Egypt, the so-called Libyan-Egyptian initiative between Ethiopia and Eritrea," said Ali Abdul Salem Triky, Libya's secretary of state for African affairs. "We are working hard between Eritrea and Djibuti."

Economic development is key

Libya's higher-profile involvement, while welcomed by many African nations, will depend on how well Gadhafi manages his affairs at home -- particularly how he moves to open up the country's economy.

Butter, in fact, said the political dalliances were just "a side show" to economic development.

"He has to do the kind of things his neighbor Egypt has done or even Tunisia or Algeria in terms of opening up the Libyan economy," he said.

A newly implemented strategy of courting international investors appears to be doing just that, as years of sanctions are giving way.

Last year, Libya handed over for trial two men accused in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The handover prompted the United Nations to suspend sanctions it had imposed when Libya refused to turn the men in.

And this week's visit by U.S. diplomats was a prelude to the possible lifting of a 1981 ban on Americans traveling to Libya. The group will report in a few weeks on whether they consider Libya safe for Americans.

Correspondent Nic Robertson contributed to this report

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