Libyan leader in Italy to mark friendship treaty

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was in Italy yesterday with a troupe of Berber horses to mark the second anniversary of a friendship treaty that drew a line under the countries’ bitter colonial-era relationship.

Mr Gaddafi was met at Ciampino airport outside Rome by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini for his fourth visit in a little over a year with ties growing between the nations since the signing of the August 30, 2008 treaty.

To mark the anniversary, he and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi are today due to tour a photography exhibition tracing the history of the Italian-Libyan relationship, including the bloody colonial period, officials said.

They are also expected to be among around 800 spectators at an equestrian show at the Tor di Quinto cavalry school in the north of the capital.

The Libyan colonel brought with him for the occasion 30 thoroughbred Berber horses and their riders, who flew in on a special plane.

He and Mr Berlusconi are also expected to share iftar to break the day’s fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

Ties between Italy and Libya have deepened since the signing of the accord, with Italy now the third largest European investor in the North African country.

The treaty aims to turn the page on lingering bitterness over Rome’s occupation and colonial rule from 1911 until World War II.

According to the agreement, Rome will pay around five billion dollars in compensation for the colonial period in the form of investments over 25 years.

This includes the construction of a 1,700-kilometre highway in Libya, with Tripoli in return to crack down on illegal migration from its shores.

Libya also has investments in Italy, holding for example six percent of leading bank UniCredit. Media reports have said the country could also be in the running to buy Italian defence equipment.

Mr Gaddafi’s visit has, however, sparked debate with the Italy of Values anti-corruption political party planning protests and religious and human rights groups criticising the expulsion of immigrants back to Libya.

The Libyan leader travelled, as usual, with a Bedouin tent for his accommodation which is to be pitched in the gardens of the residence of the Libyan embassy in Rome.