UK's Cameron arrives in Libya

2011-09-15 10:46

London - British Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived on a visit to Libya where he and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet the country's new leaders, a spokesperson for Cameron said on Thursday.

Cameron was expected to announce a package of assistance to support Libya's transition after the end of Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year-rule.

French finance minister said the visit by the leaders was not about landing economic deals but about showing support for the former rebels who ousted Gaddafi.

Francois Baroin, speaking on France-Info radio, said the visit "is a strong gesture, it is a historic moment to go today to Libya".

A Libyan official said that Cameron and Sarkozy's trip was the first such visit by foreign leaders since Gaddafi’s downfall.

Asked whether there were economic arguments for the visit, Baroin said, "we are not at that stage".

He said France's focus was not yet on reconstruction contracts but on supporting the interim leadership and pursuing "the last pro-Gaddafi pockets".

- AP