TRIPOLI, September 19 (IslamOnline.net) - Hoping to reverse effects of international long-standing sanctions and end years of isolation marked by tough politics and strained relations with many of countries, Libya is to host a conference entitled "To know each other".

"It is a concerted effort to find a common ground with the other as a step leading to dialogue," said Ibrahim al-Rabou of the organizing committee of the conference which will be held in the capital Tripoli on September 20-23.

But the organizers insisted that the event, the first since the U.N. Security council sanctions were lifted few days ago, is not to tackle political issues in order to avoid what Al-Rabou called "political chaos" witnessed by other gatherings.

"We sent an invitation to the U.S. ambassador to Malta, and he rejected the invitation," said Al-Rabou, with a defiant formal tone, in a news conference.

Washington and Tripoli have no exchange of diplomatic representation, making such dealing be made through a third country.

"But look, the ambassador sent a letter of apology for not attending, in which he expressed an appreciation for the event," said Al-Rabou, proudly this time at what seems to be a mixed message that accords with Washington's stick-and-carrot formula.

The U.S. still insists that its sanctions against Libya will remain, regardless of whether international sanctions were removed, something that left many here as furious as feeling betrayed since the Lockerbie crisis was settled with Libya after paying 2.7 billion dollars to families of the victims.

"So, how can you open a dialogue with a party insisting to degrade the other and set itself as an example that the whole world should follow," said Abdel-Ati Abdel-Jalil, the press coordinator.

"Dialogue between cultures and civilizations now is marred by exclusion and inequality between parties engaged in it," he lamented.

So, the way is still long for this poor, however oil-rich, country to arrive at normal relations with the super power and its allies.

"But we are sure it is a step forward towards closing ranks and ending differences," said Ahmed Zayed, another organizer.

"It is a way for Libya to open up, at least," said Brandon Manning, a reporter for South African network AFRISAT, which sent a large cast for the event.