McGrath is right. The North African coast belonged to the Ottoman Empire, although later on the ties to the central power were loosened as it happened so often at the fringes of the realm.
The entire coast, called the Corsairs' Coast then, was a pest for European and American trade shipping because of the pirates of Turk, Arab, Berber and European origin (the Europeans were renegades).
In the 19th century the U.S. Navy fought at this coast, too; in the line "... to the Golf of Tripoli" (in Libya) the role of the USMC is remembered.
Larry, what a fine peaceful song this is! Just right for the times of this war your lonesome rider in the White House started some days before.

Wilfried