On 11 June FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with Dr. Mustafa Zaidi, Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Tripoli. Dr. Mustafa Zaidi came back from China where he had been on an official visit.

One may recall that the World Chess Championship 2004 took place in Tripoli, the Libyan Jamahiriya. 128 chess players from 64 countries participated in the competition, including the Russian Federation, China, the United States of America and Great Britain. GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan became the World Champion 2004 defeating Michael Adams of England in the finals.

During a warm conversation FIDE President thanked the Libyan Minister for his assistance in the FIDE activity. The Parties discussed the opportunities of their future mutual cooperation in the official international tournaments organization, FIDE Seminars for Arbiters and Trainers and the International FIDE Academy establishment to introduce FIDE programme "Chess in Schools". They also exchanged their opinions on the nowadays issues which interest both Parties.

On 12 June Kirsan Ilyumzhinov also met with Mr. Muammar Gaddafi's son Mr. Muhammad Gaddafi. He is the leader of the Libyan Olympic Committee. Other meetings have been also planned by the FIDE President.

Visit of the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov to Libya is held in the frameworks of the Africa Year 2011 which has been declared by the World Chess Federation.

Playing chess with Mr. Muammar Gaddafi

Present to Mr. Muammar Gaddafi

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov with Dr. Mustafa Zaidi, Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs

Minister of Education and Science of Libya

Mr. Muhammad Gaddafi