A friendly breeze from Tripoli has begun to flow across the continental shores of the Mediterranean for some years now, especially post 9/11. Starting with the visit of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair to Libya in 2004, relations between two former adversaries have begun to normalize. The west has also removed many economic sanctions that had been applied on the North African Islamic Republic.
Signs of normalization began much before 2000 when Libya offered to open its controversial nuclear program for International inspection. In 2003, it even agreed to dismantle it! All these were signs of this oil-rich nation’s regaining its respectable place in world politics.
French President Sarkozy (left) and Col Gaddafi
Latest in this slowly blooming alliance is the Libya-France handshake. Libyan leader Col. Gaddafi landed in France yesterday to broker a nuclear agreement for a desalination plant. He is also believed to have signed an armaments deal, while a $4.4 billion dollar contract to buy Airbus jets is also on the anvil. Gaddafi, known to the world as a hard-core Islamic Socialist and anti-west rebel, has recently softened his political stance.
Political analysts report that his nation’s struggling economy, devaluation of Libya’s oil resources in recent times, need for creating more jobs for an emerging youth and ‘realpolitik’ have all forged a moral alliance to change Gaddafi. It is also notable that France’s new President had already visited Libya in July 2007 and signed a number of bilateral agreements.
Though, France’s Minister for Human Rights, Rama Yade criticized Gaddafi openly, President Sarkozy was quick to take appropriate action. Later, Yade was summoned to Elysee palace for an official reprimand.
Gaddafi arriving at Brussels with his women bodygaurds
While there is a lot of talk about Gaddafi’s visit to France, it is also important to note what implications this visit could have on Libya’s position in world politics in general and the EU-Libya relationship in particular. The signing of this agreement marks a significant confidence booster for other European nations to follow suit.
It also opens up some function-areas in Libya to private participation. France itself is running for some heavy contracts in the oil-rich nation. From the African perspective too, this deal has strengthened Libya’s image in the continental politics. Being a nation rich in oil reserves, one could now expect many foreign companies to queue up for exploration rights too.
To sum up, this Mediterranean alliance potrays a rebel’s return to mainstream drama. However, it will take a ‘while’ before nations start to accept the rebel.
News Source: USA Today, Times Online
