Yes, it was Tripoli, Lybia. Tripoli's toward the western end of Lybia, not far from Tunisia, and almost due south of Rome. It's the first I've heard of Lybia referred to as the "Middle East"; I've always placed it in North Africa.
By the way, do you work with transgenic animals? I know it's a wierd question, but your nom de Freep has always made me wonder.
Fair question: I am a physician who works in the pharmaceutical industry. More on the clinical development/strategic/marketing side. I haven't done any animal work since medical school.