Berlin: Germany has officially recognized the National Transitional Council set up by the rebel forces seeking to overthrow the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi and opened a liaison office in their stronghold Benghazi.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle announced Germany's recognition of the transitional council as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people during an unannounced visit to the second largest Libyan city yesterday accompanied by Minister for Development Cooperation Dirk Niebel. "We are not neutral but we stand by the side of democracy and freedom," Westerwelle said after a meeting with the foreign minister of the transitional council Ali al Essawi.
Until now, the council was referred to by the German government as "a legitimate representative" of the Libyan people. Germany had sided with India and abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council resolution on March 17 authorising the use of force to protect civilian population against attacks by Gaddafi's forces.
The German government had defended its decision at that time arguing that it did not want to get involved militarily in the conflict.
It was criticised by the opposition parties and some of Germany's partners in the NATO and the EU for not supporting the resolution.
Westerwelle said staying out the NATO-led air campaign against the forces of Gaddafi did not mean that Germany is neutral. "Our visit to Benghazi shows Germany is a friend and partner of the democratic forces in this country," he said.
He pledged Germany's support for the transitional council in building a democratic and constitutional Libya, according to a press statement.
Westerwelle demanded that Col Gadaffi immediately end his war against his own people and hand over power to the transitional council. "The people of Libya want peaceful and independent future without Gaddafi and this is also our goal," he said.
The transitional council is so far recognised as the legitimate representative of Libya by 12 nations, including France and Britain, who led the air campaign until the NATO took over the mission in April. The US, Russia and some other countries recognise the council as a legitimate representative of Libya.
During their visit, Westerwelle and Niebel pledged eight million euros as emergency humanitarian assistance. This will raise to 15.5 million euros Germany's total humanitarian assistance for the population in areas liberated from the Gaddafi forces since the uprising against his 42-year regime began in February.
The foreign ministry will provide 1 million euros for medicines, medical equipment and other relief supplies as well as for the humanitarian flights of the United Nations, the press statement said.
The ministry for development cooperation will contribute 7 milion euros for emergency humanitarian assistance as well as for supporting projects in the areas of improving water and electricity supply and for the relief of refugees.
From Benghazi, the two ministers left for Israel on an official visit, which will take them also to the Palestinian territories.
Comments
0 comment