Report: Sarkozy plans visit to Libya soon

[Chris]

Report: Sarkozy plans visit to Libya soon - JPost - Headlines

Report: Sarkozy plans visit to Libya soon
By REUTERS
09/14/2011 18:53

PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy is planning a trip to Libya on Thursday, the French magazine Marianne reported, in what would be the first visit by a foreign head of state since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi. The visit would give Sarkozy, who pushed Western powers to help Libyan rebels in their uprising against Gaddafi and faces an election in eight months, a chance to tout the success of a NATO air campaign in which France played a key part. The newspaper Le Figaro said the trip could include stops in both Tripoli and Benghazi, the birthplace of the uprising. Marianne reported on its website that Sarkozy would depart for his surprise trip to Libya with nearly 80 riot police, who had been instructed to be ready for departure aboard a military airplane on Wednesday night. The trip is not posted on the president's official agenda and the Elysee presidential palace did not confirm it. It noted that Sarkozy had said he wished to visit Libya when circumstances allowed, and that the security situation meant any visit was unlikely to be announced in advance.

[Chris]

Looks like Sarkozy wants to be the first one in Libya for media shots.