You make a good point, and they (and I) should have been clearer about it. The Tripoli they speak about (and the Marines sing about) is in present-day Libya, correct? If it is, that is the middle east.
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.