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Schroeder, Qaddafi Disagree Over Iraq
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi clashed over Iraq during their first-ever meeting in Tripoli while German business leaders yesterday touted for business in the oil-rich former pariah state. In the latest visit by a Western leader since Libya returned to the international fold last year, Schroeder held two hours of talks with Qaddafi in a traditional Bedouin tent after arriving late Thursday. The two leaders disagreed over Iraq, with Qaddafi blaming the United States for the continuing violence there and called for US troops to withdraw, while Schroeder expressed doubts over the wisdom of a sudden pullout, a German official said. The two men were also at odds over the US role in the Middle East. However, they agreed on the importance of developing relations between Germany and Libya following a deal last month for Libya to pay compensation to 168 mainly German survivors of an attack on a Berlin nightclub. Libyan Foreign Minister Abdelraham Shalgham told reporters Thursday that Schroeder's trip was "very important for the development of relations with Western states, especially with Germany". Aside from the politics of the visit, Schroeder is accompanied by 25 leaders of German industry who are seeking business in the north African state. The chancellor said at the opening ceremony that the rebuilding of Libya's infrastructure "offered great opportunities" for German industry. Schroeder spent yesterday morning opening an oil drilling well operated by German company Wintershall in the desert hundreds of kilometers south of Tripoli. Posted by: Fred 2004-10-16 |
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