The Obama administration increased U.S. support for Libya's new leadership as Secretary of State Clinton made an unannounced visit to Tripoli on Tuesday and pledged millions of dollars in new assistance. American officials said the new aid Clinton is bringing amounts to about $11 million and will boost Washington's contribution since the uprising began in February to roughly $135 million.
Clinton met with Mahmoud Jibril, who has taken over as Libya's prime minister, and interim leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil. Heading into the meeting, Clinton said, "Now the hard part begins."
As part of the new assistance, the U.S. will relaunch several educational programs, including Fulbright scholarships and English language training, and help finance an archeological project to survey eastern Libya. Also, Clinton will declare the importance of good governance, inclusion, democratisation and
Officials said Clinton would also raise the case of the Lockerbie bombing with Libyan officials.
Most of the new money will go toward locating and destroying thousands of shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles that are now unaccounted for. The State Department already has sent 14 weapons experts to Libya and is seeking other countries to contribute to the effort.
The new U.S. contribution of some $10 million means the U.S. will have spent $40 million on the effort alone since the former rebels began making major military progress.
The dollar amount of the medical portion of the new assistance is not yet known but will go to a multipronged program to assist former rebel troops badly injured in the fighting. There have been about 15,000 injured during the conflict so far. About 1,500 are now amputees and require specialised care not now available in Libya.