The NATO operation in Libya was much shorter than military operations in other nations in the middle east region, but one aspect of the aftermath of the military operation in Libya is not all that different than the military operations in other nations: already, western contractors are seeking key contracts and positions in post-Qaddafi Libya. 

It’s not just companies from the United States who are lining up with their pockets open in high hopes of receiving money from the Libyan government. The New York Times reported that there are already as many as 80 French companies in Libya and British companies were told to “pack their suitcases” to Libya for the same reason as their French counterparts. 

Libyan needs range from services like security to rebuilding Libya’s tattered infrastructure. And western nations are hopeful that they will be selected for the contracts to perform the services needed in Libya. They believe their advantage lies in the fact that Libya is grateful to NATO nations for their role in ending Qaddafi’s reign of terror in the middle eastern nation. 

The New York Times also speculates that China will not have many advantages in gaining contracts within Libya because of its history with Qaddafi; just last summer, China offered to sell arms to Qaddafi. Most doubt that China’s offer to sell Qaddafi arms will be forgiven or forgotten easily by most Libyans.

However, Libya is still in transition and there isn’t a permanent government in place; as much as Libya needs services, leaders have made it clear that they would like to wait until there is a permanent government in place before awarding contracts to rebuild the nation of Libya. 

One interesting point raised in the New York Times article that I read discussed a proliferation of comments and groups on LinkedIn about how businesses could take advantage of potential contract awards within the nation of Libya. The writer quoted one Libyan who replied to a question about the openness of Libya by reminding foreigners to Libya that Libya was not now the place for bribes or sweetheart deals because Libya was a country with “free media now.”

Like most, I’m hopeful that Libya can truthfully award contracts to the bidders who are the most capable of doing the jobs needed at the right price and that the country won’t be too corrupt when it awards contracts.