Land to the left of Spain and Portugal? (7)

I believe the answer is:

liberia

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'land' is the definition.
(Liberia is an example)

'the left of spain and portugal?' is the wordplay.
'the left of' becomes 'l' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'spain and portugal?' becomes 'iberia' (I've seen this before).
'l'+'iberia'='LIBERIA'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for liberia that I've seen before include "West African nation" , "Hot country" , "Monrovia's country" , "African republic, capital Monrovia" , "W. African nation" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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