Pest control firm Rentokil Initial said it had won a £24 million rat extermination contract from Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
The former pariah state turned to Rentokil over fears that infestations in the country’s major cities could expose the population to diseases.
A team of 32 specialists have already been deployed to Libya as part of the three-year deal and Rentokil said their early involvement had been met with enthusiasm from local people, eager to rid their cities of pests.
Richard Jones, the firm’s manager in Libya, said the rat infestation was “beginning to have an impact on public health”.
“It’s been great to see how enthusiastic the public are,” he said.
“They are obviously keen to remedy the pest problem, and are eager to help.”
Rentokil is also hoping to eliminate the sand fly-transmitted leishmaniasis – a devastating disease prevalent in North Africa and the Middle East which can cause skin ulcers and, in its worst form, death.
The sand fly is harboured by the fat sand rat and is extremely resistant to traditional poisons and Rentokil said a specific strategy was needed to combat its spread.
Mr Jones said the greatest challenges facing Rentokil in Libya were in infrastructure and public awareness.
A lack of postcodes and addresses in Libyan cities means that the rat-catchers have to use satellite navigation to negotiate the streets and monitor the 150,000 traps set to be laid.
The firm is also lobbying the government for more effective waste management and an increase in environmental health inspections.
It is also running a public awareness campaign in the country to highlight the health risks posed by the rats.
Rentokil said the deal could herald the beginning of an expansion in the region, with potential markets in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
