Libya: A Non-Russian Energy Lifeline for Europe

The Libyan government on Jan. 29 ratified a $900 million natural gas exploration agreement made with BP in May 2007, a spokesperson for BP said Feb. 4. The deal will allow the first significant Western project in Libya since the North African country's leader, Moammar Gadhafi, opened Libya to the West in late 2003. The project is one of Europe's efforts to diversify its natural gas supplies away from Russia.