THE LIBYAN DELAGATION IN LESOTHO

A high level delegation of Trade and Investment Affairs from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya was on a three-day visit to Lesotho from the 15^t to the 17^th of November 2000.  

The delegation was under the leadership of Dr. Khaled F. Zentuti, Deputy Minister for Investment Affairs at the General People’s Committee of African Unity.  Other members of the mission were: - Mr. El-hadi Essayh, Director of the office of the Deputy Minister; Dr. Rajab Mansour La-aswad, Director of the Company of Foreign Investments for the Southern Africa Region; Mr. Anwar Mahmoud Al Shomani, of the Technical Cooperation Management Unit and Mr. Mabruk Seid Elkheraz.

The purpose of the visit was to enhance political relations between Libya and Lesotho.  More important was to enhance economic cooperation in the context of South-South Cooperation.  The visit was a follow-up on an earlier one by one member of Dr. Zentuti’s staff, Mr. Mustafa Al-khattabi - Chairman of the Libyan Arab African Investment Company.

On the day of their arrival, the delegation had a working dinner with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Motsoahae Thomas Thabane and senior members of staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also met with the officials of Lesotho National Development Corporation, Privatisation Unit, Central Bank of Lesotho, Lesotho Survey and Physical Planning, Basotho Enterprises and Development Co-operation and Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The mission met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and of Development Planning, Honourable Kelebone Maope, also with Minister of Natural Resources, Honourable Monyane Moleleki, in the morning of the 16^th.  Dr. Zentuti together with one of his fellows represented the mission at a courtesy call they paid on the Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili.  Later in the day, they were presented before the National Assembly, and then proceeded to meet with the then acting Minster of Industry, Trade and Marketing, Honourable Mofelehetsi Moerane.

On receiving the delegation, Prime Minister Mosisili noted that, relations between Libya and Lesotho date very long ago.  This is with the latter’s total commitment for having helped many African countries in their times and pursuits to attaining freedom.  The Prime Minister continued that, now that all countries of Africa have attained their independence, they have to seriously focus on issues of their economic development as well as on the social welfare of their citizens.

The Prime Minister further pointed out that, Lesotho got engulfed into political problems, with a tremendous negative impact to her economy.  He pinpointed that, the main problem showed-up after the General Elections of 1998, whereby other political parties complained of the results.  The complaint ended in the burning of the businesses, which resulted in a loss of jobs to many people.  Mr. Mosisili noted that, at the present moment, Lesotho is busy rebuilding the towns that got affected.  The project is to a great extent a success, in that a number of the buildings have to date been revived.  Lesotho would be grateful if Libya could extend assistance in this project, the Prime Minister noted.

 He concluded that, the two parties should investigate ways in which they both can be partners at development, especially at the arena of trade.  This engagement is grounded on the fact that, there are great chances to investing in Lesotho, the Prime Minister justified.

On his turn, Dr. Zentuti began by depicting a picture of the relationship between Libya and Lesotho.  He pointed out that, the very fact that the positive friendship ties between the two date as far back into times of anguish and troubles there were, is an indication of a good platform of action for the partnership - above -.  Dr. Zentuti continued that, the nation of Libya holds Lesotho in high esteem because of the latter’s ability to having successfully retained her independence, with regard to her geographical location.  He was referring to the land locking phenomenon, more so, by a big and powerful country - Lesotho within the Republic of South Africa. 

Dr. Zentuti noted that, his country is committed to further strengthening and sustaining her trade - relations with the countries of Africa.  Libya is keen to seeing the whole continent of Africa unite; the two countries should henceforth, further strengthen their ties for the good of a partnership at Trade, Dr. Zentuti argued.  He indicated that, his country is already researching into possibility of opening an industry to manufacture jeans, as well as a firm to work on sandstone in Lesotho.  The latter works on the stone to have it ready for use; especially for building.  He further noted that, working on sandstone could contribute in the growth of the Lesotho economy.  It will be to the advantage of the economy because a project of this nature is more labour intensive, thus, job creation, Dr. Zentuti concluded. 

SOURCE:  Lesotho Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lentsoe La Basotho (trans… ‘Voice of the Lesotho Nation’) Newspaper by the Ministry of Communications.