|
Benghazi: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrived in Libya on Saturday to sign a “friendship pact” that expects Italy to pay billions of dollars in compensation to Libyans.
Berlusconi is meeting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to sign the pact that covers “some billion dollars” in compensation for abuses committed during Italy's rule in Libya.
Libya accuses Italy of killing thousands of Libyans and driving thousands more from their desert villages and cities on during its 1911-1943 colonial rule.
The deal also covers $5 billion in investments over 25 years, including the construction of a highway across Libya from the Tunisian border to Egypt, according to officials.
ItaLy expects in return to win energy contracts and for the Tripoli government to toughen security measures to stem the flow of illegal migrants, including joint maritime patrols.
|
