EU office boosts Libya rebels
Source: Agencies |
May 23, 2011, Monday
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IN a boost to Libya's rebels, the European Union opened a diplomatic office yesterday in their eastern stronghold and pledged support for a democratic Libya where Moammar Gadhafi "will not be in the picture."
The office in the de facto rebel capital of Benghazi gives Gadhafi's opponents a key point of contact with the 27 nations in the European bloc and adds to the growing international recognition of the rebels' political leadership.
In return, the head of the rebels' National Transitional Council held out the possibility of future rewards for those who offer early support.
"The United States and the European Union should know that we are a righteous people," said Mustafa Abdul-Jalil. "We are fighting for a better future and they will not regret helping us."
The rebel-held east is home to most of Libya's oil resources, and Abdul-Jalil said backers of the rebel council could stand to benefit in future business deals.
"Our friends who support this revolution will have the best opportunity in future contracts in Libya," he said.
A number of other countries - including France, Italy, Qatar and the West African nation of Gambia - have already recognized the rebels, while the United States and other countries have sent envoys to open talks.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton opened the bloc's office in Benghazi's heavily guarded Tibesti Hotel, saying she looked forward to a better Libya "where Gadhafi will not be in the picture."
"I have seen the vision of the Libyan people today all around. I saw the posters as I came from the airport with the words 'We have a dream,'" she said after meeting with Abdul-Jalil.
In a statement released by her office in Brussels, Ashton said she found that the rebel leaders "have great aspirations for the people of this country and they have the leadership qualities and skills necessary to take the country forward."
Gadhafi has responded to the uprising that began in mid-February by unleashing his military and militias against the rebels, who have been aided by NATO bombing runs aimed at maintaining a no-fly zone and at keeping Gadhafi from attacking civilians.
The two sides have been stalemated in recent weeks, with the rebels complaining they cannot defeat Gadhafi's better-equipped army. But no country has agreed to send arms. Most EU nations have frozen their relations with Gadhafi's government and withdrawn their diplomats.
The office in the de facto rebel capital of Benghazi gives Gadhafi's opponents a key point of contact with the 27 nations in the European bloc and adds to the growing international recognition of the rebels' political leadership.
In return, the head of the rebels' National Transitional Council held out the possibility of future rewards for those who offer early support.
"The United States and the European Union should know that we are a righteous people," said Mustafa Abdul-Jalil. "We are fighting for a better future and they will not regret helping us."
The rebel-held east is home to most of Libya's oil resources, and Abdul-Jalil said backers of the rebel council could stand to benefit in future business deals.
"Our friends who support this revolution will have the best opportunity in future contracts in Libya," he said.
A number of other countries - including France, Italy, Qatar and the West African nation of Gambia - have already recognized the rebels, while the United States and other countries have sent envoys to open talks.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton opened the bloc's office in Benghazi's heavily guarded Tibesti Hotel, saying she looked forward to a better Libya "where Gadhafi will not be in the picture."
"I have seen the vision of the Libyan people today all around. I saw the posters as I came from the airport with the words 'We have a dream,'" she said after meeting with Abdul-Jalil.
In a statement released by her office in Brussels, Ashton said she found that the rebel leaders "have great aspirations for the people of this country and they have the leadership qualities and skills necessary to take the country forward."
Gadhafi has responded to the uprising that began in mid-February by unleashing his military and militias against the rebels, who have been aided by NATO bombing runs aimed at maintaining a no-fly zone and at keeping Gadhafi from attacking civilians.
The two sides have been stalemated in recent weeks, with the rebels complaining they cannot defeat Gadhafi's better-equipped army. But no country has agreed to send arms. Most EU nations have frozen their relations with Gadhafi's government and withdrawn their diplomats.
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