Libya, Chad, and the Central Sahara

Libya, Chad, and the Central Sahara Synopsis

Libya and Chad have gone to war with each other several times since Independence, ostensibly over their rival claims to the disputed Aozou strip. ^IJohn Wright, senior political analyst in the BBC Arabic Service, traces the ethnic, cultural and economic links between them over the centuries and shows how these connections contribute to present rivalries. There follows an analysis of Colonel Moammar Gadafi's aggressive policies towards Chad, which reflect his concern for Libya's security and desire to increase its influence; his struggles against French influence in the region; and his perception of his country as a liberating force for fellow-Muslims in Chad and elsewhere. Mr. Wright concludes that continued Libyan interest in Chadian affairs is unavoidable and that mutual hostility will continue into the foreseeable future.^R Contents: The Great Sahara; Where Africa Begins; Al-Dar al-Islam; The Ninteenth Century; Sanusi, Firearms and Slaves; The Age of Imperialism; Libya in Chad; Bibliography; Index^R