Sean Penn travels to "inspirational" Libya

(CBS) Actor and humanitarian Sean Penn is currently in Libya, visiting the areas most associated with the rebellion against former Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi. The Oscar-winning actor has been spending time in the country and in Egypt in order to get an overview of the humanitarian needs of the people in those countries.

Pictures: Sean Penn in Libya
Pictures: Sean Penn

Upon landing in Benghazi, Libya on Oct. 4, 2011, Penn told AFP, "This is my first visit to inspirational Libya. I am inspired by the Arab Spring, and am here to be able to get a sense of what humanitarian aid can be delivered."

Penn declined to comment on exactly what his plans were during a press conference in Tripoli, Libya. He did praise the Libyan people for their courage to rebel against Qaddafi, and added that he had full confidence that they would succeed in establishing a democracy in their country. "An enormous price has been paid, but I think that there is no question that they can follow it through," he said.

The actor was in Cairo, Egypt on Sept. 30, 2011. He and Egyptian actor Khaled El-Nabawy visited the pyramids in Giza and supported the protesters in Tahrir Square, the place where many of the demonstrations were held that fueled the Egyptian revolution against ex-president Hosni Mubarak.