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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Libya
Index
Libya's very active interest in sub-Saharan Africa has been
directed toward isolating Israel diplomatically, liberating African
countries under colonial or apartheid regimes, providing economic
aid to developing African countries, and propagating Islam. During
1972 and 1973, through bilateral relations and membership in the
OAU, Libya and other Arab states successfully reversed Israel's
formerly strong diplomatic position in Africa. Qadhafi drew a
parallel between Israeli occupation of Arab territory and
colonialism in Africa and frequently offered significant economic
assistance to countries that would sever ties with Israel. By
November 1973, twenty-seven African governments had broken
relations with Israel, many declaring their support for the PLO in
the process.
Libya also has supported numerous black African independence
movements, although the extent and nature of the support have not
always been clear. Libyan support apparently was significant for
Angola (where aid was first extended to Holden Roberto's National
Front for the Liberation of Angola, and only later to Agostinho
Neto's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, which defeated
Roberto's group in a civil war), Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique in
their struggles against Portuguese colonialism. Libya continued to
contribute funds to liberation efforts throughout 1978. Some
sources report that nationalist guerrillas of both Zimbabwe and
Namibia have received direct Libyan aid.
For some time, Libya has had a special, if not always smooth,
relationship with Uganda. Libya supported the government of Idi
Amin in exchange for Uganda's severance of relations with Israel.
(A particularly close bilateral relationship had existed between
Israel and the Ugandan regime Amin overthrew in 1971.) Libya came
to Uganda's assistance in 1972, and again in 1978, when it
airlifted troops and supplies, thus demonstrating a certain degree
of logistical capability. The aid proved militarily futile,
however, as Libyan troops were routed quickly. For a brief period,
the deposed Idi Amin found asylum in Tripoli.
Data as of 1987
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