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US recognises Libyan rebel TNC as legitimate authority | US recognises Libyan rebel TNC as legitimate authority |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The United States has recognised the Libyan opposition as the country's "legitimate governing authority". | The United States has recognised the Libyan opposition as the country's "legitimate governing authority". |
The move means billions of dollars of Libyan assets frozen in US banks could be released to the rebels. | The move means billions of dollars of Libyan assets frozen in US banks could be released to the rebels. |
The decision was announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a diplomatic meeting in Istanbul. | The decision was announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a diplomatic meeting in Istanbul. |
Western and Arab members of the Libya Contact Group are drawing up a plan to end hostilities, which will be presented to Col Muammar Gaddafi. | Western and Arab members of the Libya Contact Group are drawing up a plan to end hostilities, which will be presented to Col Muammar Gaddafi. |
"The United States views the Gaddafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Mrs Clinton said. | "The United States views the Gaddafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Mrs Clinton said. |
"And so I am announcing today that, until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognise the TNC [Transitional National Council] as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis." | "And so I am announcing today that, until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognise the TNC [Transitional National Council] as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis." |
This move means the US and other countries will be able to unblock some $30bn in frozen assets to assist the Libyan opposition. | This move means the US and other countries will be able to unblock some $30bn in frozen assets to assist the Libyan opposition. |
It's a financial boost for the TNC but also adds to their credibility. | It's a financial boost for the TNC but also adds to their credibility. |
Because the US only recognises states and not governments, the wording - calling the TNC the "legitimate governing authority" - was chosen carefully. | Because the US only recognises states and not governments, the wording - calling the TNC the "legitimate governing authority" - was chosen carefully. |
It may sound like semantics but the wording had legal implications. There were also concerns about recognising unelected representatives without a clear road map for a transition to democracy. | It may sound like semantics but the wording had legal implications. There were also concerns about recognising unelected representatives without a clear road map for a transition to democracy. |
She added: "The TNC has offered important assurances today, including the promise to pursue a process of democratic reform that is inclusive both geographically and politically." | She added: "The TNC has offered important assurances today, including the promise to pursue a process of democratic reform that is inclusive both geographically and politically." |
The TNC said it "expressed its gratitude and respect to the people of the United States", which it called "the protector and promoter of democracy and freedom across the world". | |
In Istanbul, other foreign ministers said the whole contact group - including more than 30 Western and Arab countries - agreed to recognise the rebels. | In Istanbul, other foreign ministers said the whole contact group - including more than 30 Western and Arab countries - agreed to recognise the rebels. |
Many of them have already individually recognised the TNC. | |
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the decision left Col Gaddafi "no other option" but to leave power. | Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the decision left Col Gaddafi "no other option" but to leave power. |
However, Col Gaddafi swiftly rejected the move. | |
Addressing a televised rally in the town of Zlitan, he said: "Trample on those recognitions, trample them under your feet... They are worthless." | |
Entrenched in Tripoli | |
Mr Frattini said the UN special envoy to Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, would take the contact group's ceasefire proposals to the Libyan leadership, and negotiate on their behalf. | Mr Frattini said the UN special envoy to Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, would take the contact group's ceasefire proposals to the Libyan leadership, and negotiate on their behalf. |
A statement released by the group said Col Gaddafi "must leave power according to defined steps to be publicly announced," and called for "the formation of an interim government to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition of power". | |
The meeting was also expected to explore measures to increase the pressure on the Libyan regime, such as constraining government broadcasting. It was also to look at a report on the TNC's plans for progress to democracy. | |
Representatives of the Benghazi-based TNC were at the meeting, but invitations to China and Russia were both declined. | Representatives of the Benghazi-based TNC were at the meeting, but invitations to China and Russia were both declined. |
The conflict in Libya appears to be in a protracted stalemate. Rebels are holding eastern Libya and pockets in the west. | The conflict in Libya appears to be in a protracted stalemate. Rebels are holding eastern Libya and pockets in the west. |
Col Gaddafi remains entrenched in the capital Tripoli, despite a Nato bombing campaign of more than 6,000 sorties against regime forces. | Col Gaddafi remains entrenched in the capital Tripoli, despite a Nato bombing campaign of more than 6,000 sorties against regime forces. |
International sanctions have also been imposed and international arrest warrants issued against leading figures in the Libyan regime. | International sanctions have also been imposed and international arrest warrants issued against leading figures in the Libyan regime. |
In Tripoli, Col Gaddafi's government has been holding crisis talks over the supply of fuel to the country. | In Tripoli, Col Gaddafi's government has been holding crisis talks over the supply of fuel to the country. |