Libya: Clinton to Meet and Offer Aid Package to Leaders

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Tripoli to “demonstrate support for Libya’s new transitional government.” Clinton will meet with Libya’s new leaders, including Mustafa Abdel-Jalil. The meeting is intedned to cement relations between the United States and Libya, and “aides said Clinton would privately reassure Libyan leaders of continued U.S. support as the country grapples with myriad challenges…[and] set the table for a long-term, completely different partnership between the United States and Libya.” Clinton announced an increase in non-military aid to $130 million and “the State Department is boosting funds and staffing to help Libyan officials recover and destroy…thousands of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles that have gone missing amid the chaos of recent fighting. ”

A NATO spokesperson also stated that they are “very close” to ending the organization’s 7-month military mandate in Libya. NATO warplane have flown some 9,500 strike sorties since NATO moved against Qadhafi’s regime on March 19th.