Steinmeier Praises Libya

Steinmeier praised Libya for seizing the opportunity offered to it by renouncing weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. He said Libya had shown the way forward.

"This country has ended a long period of isolation and begun its way back into the fold of the international community," he said.

"Some other states have not managed to make such a courageous and forward-looking decision. I hope Libya can serve as an example for these countries."

He also said the European Union would now like to see Libya, as the country with the biggest oil reserves in Africa, continue on the path of market liberalization.

German-Libyan trade booming

Steinmeier made the comments while opening a three-day German-Libyan conference in the eastern city of Benghazi.

The Foreign Minister is traveling with a large business delegation including top energy company executives as well as representatives of solar power firms.

Libyan trade with the EU has exploded in recent years with exports to the bloc hitting 19.5 billion euros ($25 billion) the bulk of which was thanks to the sale of oil.

Steinmeier tour's, which also takes him to Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania, comes in the run up to Germany taking over the rotating European Union and G8 presidencies in January.

African immigration to Europe major issue

Steinmeier is also expected to focus on immigration issues. Faced with a rising wave of arrivals in overcrowded boats, southern European nations led by Spain and Italy have increased their calls for a common European immigration policy.

Steinmeier's spokesperson Jens Plötner said the long term aim of the trip was to strengthen the region's ties with Europe.

The foreign minister's tour ends in Mauritania, where the population votes in parliamentary elections on Sunday. The poll is the first since a military coup last year and is an important step in the direction of democracy. Steinmeier is to visit the electoral committee, and meet with European Union election observers.