Libya was Uganda's closest ally at the time of Uganda–Tanzania War. The former had invested financially and politically into Uganda, with Libyan businesses having partially taken over the position of Ugandan Asians who were expelled in 1972. In addition, Gaddafi regarded Uganda as important base for the Libyan-allied PLO, and as ally in his rivalry with Egypt and Sudan. Libya had "normally" stationed about 300 to 400 soldiers in Uganda before the 1978–79 war.