The territory has been described as one of the most desolate places in the world.

But it is also one of the most hotly disputed pieces of land on the planet as well, and has been the subject of a bitter battle for self determination and independence for decades.

There can be no other reasonable explanation for the latest insane actions of

Libya is still in the process of paying compensation to the relatives of those who lost loved ones in the Lockerbie air disaster of 1988.

While it is difficult to put a value on anyone’s life, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s offer of $10 million dollars per passenger, $270 in total – was deemed acceptable by both George W Bush and Tony Blair.

I have a bee in my bonnet, or hijab to be more precise.

On an almost daily basis there are horrific stories pouring out of Tunisia about how the state police are ripping off the hijabs of women living there. Some of these women, who are merely fulfilling their religious obligation to wear a hijab, have been assaulted, sexually abused and even locked up in prison ...

There are times when we women are our own worst enemies. And I despair at the way the global sisterhood is often fractured and splintered by women who do more damage than any chauvinists.  A classic example was brought to my attention recently after a group of long-suffering neighbours smashed their way into a Pakistan brothel and kidnapped the owner.

Hooray! ...