Muammar al-Kaddafi to Meet With Nikolas Sarkozy on December 10

Muammar al-Kaddafi

Muammar al-Kaddafi to Meet With Nikolas Sarkozy on December 10

Meeting of Leaders Occurs As Libya Continues to Strengthen Relations Across European Union

Libya's Leader Calls for Political Stability in Africa as Key to Improving Lives Across African Continent

PARIS and TRIPOLI, Libya, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ --

Libya's Leader, Muammar al-Kaddafi, will meet with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy on December 10th as part of his tour with key allies on the European continent. In addition to meeting with Mr. Sarkozy, while in Paris Libya's Leader will grant a rare interview with France's widely watched Channel 2. Libya's Leader and Mr. Sarkozy last met in late July and discussed a range of vital topics, including peace in Darfur and growing the Libyan-French strategic partnership in Africa.


The Libyan Leader's meeting with Mr. Sarkozy marks another important step in the continuing growth of relations between the two nations. While in Paris, Libya's Leader will seek to extend dialogue between the two leaders around key economic and political issues. Among the topics Libya's Leader will cover with Mr. Sarkozy are issues which he also raised at the EU-AU Summit in Lisbon over the past weekend, including:


1. The Libyan-French strategic partnership in Africa: Libya's Leader sees
this as important to both countries and the region. During Mr.
Sarkozy's visit to Libya earlier this year, the two talked at length
about areas of interest and ways to strengthen these ties.

2. The EU-African-Mediterranean Dialogue: Libya's Leader views continued
discussion of the formation of a union of states around the
Mediterranean Rim as important to both regions. The idea of the
formation of such a union, based on economic interests, was a topic of
interest earlier this year.

3. Nuclear power for non-military purposes: Libya hopes to extend on its
dialogue on this topic with the French president. Earlier this year,
the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to build a
Libyan nuclear reactor for water desalinization. The agreement served
as a crucial first step in furnishing Libya with the technology to
makes it possible to meet one of its important needs -- a supply of
drinking water. Libya's Leader views these kinds of peaceful uses of
nuclear power as central to the continued growth of countries in the
region. Affordable, reliable power is an important means of helping to
drive development of African economies seeking access to affordable,
reliable power.



Libya is situated as a crucial gateway on the African continent, making it strategically vital to the EU as it cements relations with the AU, of which Libya's Leader is a leading voice and advocate. France's influence in the EU and globally highlights its importance to Libya's Leader and Libya.


Libya's Leader envisions a strong African continent with stable governments and strong relations with the EU, which boasts some of the world's fastest growing economies and influential governments. Reflecting Libya's Leader's vision for a stable and united Africa, Libya hosted a summit in late October to address the situation in Darfur, which was attended by influencers from across the continent.


In addition to the summit, Libya's Leader has recently been very vocal in articulating his views on issues vital to the Africa in a series of key addresses to African leaders. In a speech titled "Africa's Urgent Need of Stability", Libya's Leader called for political stability across the continent as essential to its future. Libya's Leader specifically said, "Without political stability, no strategic program of economic transformation can be implemented. Among the essential elements of stability are the continued and stable role of the political leadership and the existence of a political, social, and legal frame of reference."


Libya's Leader further commented that the strength of the west is reflective of its political stability and institutions. He commented that, "Africa mimics the west while it severely lacks those elements." He also talked about the importance of courts in the west and the fact that their rulings enjoy full compliance and respect.


In a separate speech in Senegal, Libya's Leader talked about the importance of African nations having respect and reverence for their history. Specifically, he affirmed a need for retaining, religious and cultural customs, including cuisine, housing and language, among others. This retention of identity is, in Libya's Leader's view, critical to the continued improvement of the lives of people across the continent.


Libya's Leader also views immigration issues as vital to the future of EU- AU relations. He has previously addressed this topic in a speech to a joint EU-AU audience.


Libya's Leader's visit comes immediately on the heels of his attendance at the three-day European Union-African Union Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. Libya's Leader also plans to visit Spain on his tour of Europe.


Libya's Leader has engaged in several important dialogues during 2007. In March, he hosted Lord Anthony Giddens and Benjamin Barber, both noted scholars, in a dialogue on democracy. The discussion, titled "Libya in a Global Age", was led by Sir David Frost. It was covered by the BBC and hundreds of global print media outlets and spawned a spirited discussion of ideas for the region.


For texts of Mr. Kaddafi's entire speeches referenced in this release, please contact: P. Prodromou at pprodromou@racepointgroup.com


Source: Racepoint Group, Inc.

CONTACT: P. Prodromou of Racepoint Group, Inc., +1-781-487-4604,
pprodromou@racepointgroup.com