Chadian - Libyan borders reopen

Libya Chad opened today the land borders between them. The Libyan and the Chadian foreign ministers attened the border-opening ceremonies which comes as the most tangible sign of the improvement in relations between the two countries.

Relations between the two countries underwent a dispute in 1995 and interference from the Libyan Army. Some experts said that in light of the continuation of the sanctions imposed on Libya, Libya had to stop any escalation with the African countries.

They are both members of the Sahel-Saharan States, an organization which was established in 1997 by Libyan leader Col. Moammar Kadhafi.

Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Sudan are also members of the organization.

MAP reported that Chad and Libya signed a cooperation accord on security in November 1997, which provides for the establishment of a joint bilateral technical commission to facilitate the free movement of people and goods between the two countries.

The accord also provides for the opening of a Libyan Consular Service in Faya, headquarters of the Northern province of Chad, and a Chadian Consular Service in Sebha, capital of the southern region of Libya.