Gaddafi wants to compensate former Jewish residents in Libya

Muammar al-Gaddafi, the Libyan ruler, has become the first Arab leader to promise compensation to Jews who were forced from their homes due to religious tension, on condition that they had "not taken away the home of a Palestinian in Palestine," Gaddafi said. Thousands of Jews were forced to leave their homes in several Arab countries, including Libya, following successive wars since 1948. But Arab leader have repeatedly dismissed Jewish claims for compensation. No precise figures exist about the number of Jews that were forced to leave Libya. Gaddafi's gesture appears to be part of his efforts to improve diplomatic relations with Western countries. He was speaking at a rally in his home town of Sirte to celebrate the 35th anniversary of his coup d'etat that. He urged the United States to trust him and his drive to reconcile with the West. He also asked Libyans to cement the new image of Libya as a peace-loving country seeking cooperation with the world.