Politics in Lybia

Northern Africa, being so close to the middle-east, is having a lot of trouble keeping terrorist groups out of their boarders, particularly Egypt and Somalia. It is especially hard to keep these groups out because some people in these North African countries are on the side of the terrorist groups, and want to give them a safe place to hide.

Libya is literally covered by the Sahara Desert. The only exception is the narrow 1,200 mile coastline bordering the Mediterranean Sea, where almost 80% of its population resides.

Once part of the Roman province of New Africa, it was subsequently controlled by the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. In modern times it was occupied by the British and French, but since 1969, the country is led by the government of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi.
(Skreslet, 2000)

Tripoli, the ancient capital city, was designed by the Romans, and remains one of the most exotic destinations on the planet.

Oil is the driving force in the country's economy, and in fact, Libya has the highest standard of living in Africa.

In 2003 the United Nations finally voted to lift the 11-year-long sanctions because of Libya's payment of indemnity to victims and relatives of terrorism. In 2004, the United States removed all remaining sanctions, and began to establish normal diplomatic relations.

However, in recent times the country has opened its borders to inquisitive visitors interested in Roman ruins and other historic sites. Most sources still warn of potential dangers for western travelers because of the war in Iraq.
(Wright, 1969)