U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has set off on a four-nation trip where she will take part in talks on Libya as well as an African economic conference.

On Thursday, Clinton will be in the United Arab Emirates for a meeting of the 22-nation Libya Contact Group. Participants are expected to discuss how to help rebels opposing Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Last month the group agreed to set up a fund to provide the rebels with food, medicine and military supplies.

On Friday, the secretary of state travels to Lusaka, Zambia, for a forum on the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The act was passed to improve U.S. trade with Africa. The State Department says private and government leaders from 37 countries will attend.

Clinton's trip concludes with visits to Tanzania on Saturday and Ethiopia on Monday.

While in Zambia, Clinton is due to meet with Zambian President Rupiah Banda.

In Tanzania, she is scheduled to meet with President Jakaya Kikwete and discuss U.S.-Tanzanian bilateral programs.

On her final stop in Ethiopia, the secretary will hold talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and then focus on regional issues during a visit to African Union headquarters and a meeting with AU Chairperson Jean Ping.