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Latest update: 11/03/2011
- diplomacy - France - Libya - Muammar Gaddafi
Rebel Benghazi to get ambassador
In a major diplomatic victory for the Libyan opposition, France has become the first country to formally recognise Libya’s rebel leadership, pledging to exchange ambassadors between Paris and the Libyan opposition stronghold of Benghazi.
France became the first country to formally recognize the Libyan opposition – the Interim Transitional National Council – as legitimate representatives of the Libyan people on Thursday, pledging to exchange ambassadors with the country’s newly created transitional council in a major diplomatic victory for the Libyan opposition.
The announcement followed a meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and two representatives of Libya’s Interim Transitional National Council in Paris Thursday
Speaking to reporters at the Elysée presidential palace in Paris, Ali al Issawi, a former Libyan ambassador to India who quit his post last month, announced that, “France recognises the National Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
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"There will be an exchange of ambassadors between Paris and Benghazi," he added, referring to the eastern Libyan city that has emerged as a rebel stronghold over the past few weeks.
The recognition comes as European Union foreign ministers meet in Brussels Thursday and defense ministers of NATO’s 28 member states also gathered in the Belgian capital to consider the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.
Ahead of the Brussels meeting, AFP reported that Sarkozy would propose “targeted airstrikes” in Libya as a way to end the violence.
Reacting to the news of France’s diplomatic recognition, Imane Boughaighis, media organizer for Libya’s Interim Transitional National Council, said the Libyan people were “very grateful” to the French government.
“We thank the French government and the people of Libya will never forget that they (the French government) were the first country to recognize us and they stood with us in our difficult time.”
In Benghazi, people gathered near the National Council's headquarters, honking cars and cheering as some fired celebratory gunshot rounds, according to Reuters.
In a phone interview with FRANCE 24 from Benghazi, Boughaighis said she hoped France’s formal recognition of the opposition would trigger a domino effect across Europe.
Diplomatic dominoes or diplomatic tit-for-tat?
In a sign of a likely diplomatic tit-for-tat between Paris and Tripoli, the official Libyan news agency Jana quoted an unnamed foreign ministry official as saying Libya “will think about severing its relations with France because of information being circulated about France's damaging intervention in Libya's internal affairs.”
When asked whether Italy would follow France’s example, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said his government would seek the opinion of other European countries before deciding whether to recognise Libyan rebels as the country's legitimate representatives.
"That's a decision by a single government," Berlusconi told a news conference Thursday. "I think it's better for us to listen to the stance of the entire European community."
The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini, underlined the point by saying that that Italy "will not participate in air strikes on Libyan territory”.
Italy, Libya’s former colonial power, is Tripoli’s main European trading partner, importing about 25 percent of its oil and 12 percent of its gas from the North African nation.
Hours after the announcement at the Elysée presidential palace, a British Foreign Office spokesman said members of the Interim Transitional National Council were "valid interlocutors with whom we wish to work closely".
Gaddafi in the image race
As the search for a coordinated international response to the Libyan conflict has gained momentum, embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has also sent envoys to a number of European countries, according to numerous reports.
On Wednesday, the Portuguese foreign ministry confirmed that Foreign Minister Luis Amado had “an informal meeting in a Lisbon hotel with a Libyan emissary, on the request of the latter”. No further details of the meeting were revealed.
Portugal chairs the UN Security Council's committee on sanctions for Libya starting this week.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has also confirmed that Gaddafi’s regime "is moving towards contact" with the international community after a senior Gaddafi aide arrived in Cairo Wednesday.
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Comments (212)
WOW LIBYA HAS MANY FRINDS THAN SUDAN AND CHAD
IN THE SAME REGION DARFUR (SUDAN) HAS CAUSED NEARLY HALF A MILLION INNONCENT WERE SLAUGHTRED BUT THERE WAS NO MILITARY INTERVENSION AND IN CHAD WHEN REBLLION ENTERED IN THE CAPITAL FRANCE ASKED UN TO INTERVEN MILITARILY TO DEFEND PRO-FRANCE REGIME.HOWEVER,IN LIBYA THE REBELLION IS GUIDED DIRECTLY BY NATO,SHAME TO THOSE WHO SUPPORT OCCUPATION.
HEY FRANCE! NO BLOOD FOR
HEY FRANCE! NO BLOOD FOR OIL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muammar El-Khadafi is right ,
Muammar El-Khadafi is right , France is trying to divide Lybia so that they can gain the oil of Lybia. Also France has completely divide African Countries . Now Kadafi will not let them doing so , he and the Lybians will fight for their coutry . They are not like others hypocryte people of Africa who aggree with france to destroy their Home Land . May Allah helps him
Libya and Sarkozy
Sarkozy. At present about 25% of public support. I put it to you that 90% support the Rebels in Libya! If France went it alone would he get 90% support?
If I was in his shoes I would be moving up my carrier!
libyan conflict
libya will be another irak why so interst about libya bahrin kuwit sudi samethin go in on
Muppet!
Muppet!
No fly zone
The UN is too slow , corrupt leaders and dictators are taking advantage of the weakness of the UN. The time to remove Gaddafi is now, tomorrow will be too late.
Neo-colonialism
This is a Western neo-colonialism at its best.
Sarkozy obviously playing a poodle for Mr. Obama who cannot be seen as a "second Bush".
And while Western sharks circle Libya the Western media try not to make much fuss about the slaughter of civilians by the NATO and U.S. occupying forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Hypocrites!
oil shortage
While Obama insists on buying oil from Muslims and doing everything he can to appease them,including fighting their battles. He still continues the ban on off shore drilling. curtailing our own supply in order to supplement mid east countries makes me wonder, who is our enemy?
When's my tee time?
Barry Soetoro (aka Obama) can't be bothered with this whole Libya thing because it's really hard, you know, getting in a round of golf without some pesky reporter asking me about it. He's got more important things to do...you know, like having an entire day devoted to giving speeches on school yard bullying. America used to be the country that everyone looked to for leadership during tough times...Barry has just told the world that he's not all that interested in America being perceived anymore as a the leading power in the world. Look no further than one of the first things he did when he took office...he sent the bust of Churchill back to the UK...that should tell everyone what he really thinks about America.
A letter to Europe from the
A letter to Europe from the people of the United States:
The United States, via president Obama, gratefully passes the torch of true leadership to Europe so we can take up the role of complaining about the actions of real leaders in the kind of immature and ignorant protests we've observed across Europe since World War II. Our signs, with any luck, will be addressing your actions rather than our own.
Good luck being the good guys and get used to standing on your own. Maybe we'll join you again when we get the sense to throw our current leaders out of office. If we don't I'll be thinking about you when I see the more principled leaders of your countries burned in Effigy the next time one of your countries does something noteworthy.
France formally recognises Libyan rebels' authority
For once, France leads, and shows the rest of the west how things "ought" to be. Bravo France. Sarkozy is THE renaissance leader along with Merkel and Cameron.
Go ahead you lead America are
Go ahead you lead America are such war mongerers we have no money left and are broke!
LOVE the French!
So glad to see that somebody on this planet is doing something positive when it ocmes to Libya. The US certainly isn't. The US prefers to get involved in immoral wars. Someting as morally right as a popular revolution is beyond them.
EU-Libya
Doesn't this say a lot about the EU and the double standards therein? On one hand we must have a strong EU, all members together,etc. etc... on the other I'll do little deals on my own to boost my image (or should that be shadow?).
Principled stance
This is a high principled move by France,which others in the international community should follow, this man sarkozy is showing the world that France will stand by freedom,just as the world stood by France against nazi dictatorship.
Great freedom France and free
Great freedom France and free libyan!
great
Great France
Libya recognizes Wisconsin Council
Libya recognizes Wisconsin Opposition and will exchange ambassadors with the newly created Wisconsin Transitional Council. Hillary Clinton proposes shock and awe for Wisconsnites and no fly zone over Wisconsin. Senate debates whether flies will spill over to Illinois.
How is it that France is now
How is it that France is now taking the lead on issues of freedom internationally. Isn't that our job?
Lybia
Thank you President Sarkozy, for demonstrating the will to lead. Here in America, we've been searching for a leader for the last two years and can't seem to find one.
Free Libya needs France's help.
France is noble and to be commended for it's recognition of Ben Ghazi as the beneficent government of Libya. France would not be setting a precedent in going it alone in sending aid and arms to the revolutionaries. Unlike bush and blair's war for oil in Iraq, It would seem that France would have no ulterior motive in assisting Libya's revolutiories since France is not oil dependent on Libya for it's energy needs. This is just my opinion. But the fact is that the revolution against the bloody tyrant Gaddafi is in desperate need of military and humanitary aid. No one should hold thier breath waiting for the UN or Nato to assist them.
Also, your correspondents in Libya are to be commended for their courage reporting from the front lines. They are noble, courageous and intrepid as the revolutionary fighters. Your France 24 team and the freedom fighters should be given all the accolades that can be bestowed by the freedom loving world.
dahszil
male
usa
Vivre la France!
At least France still remembers the price of liberty. I am sad that our empty-suit-president is too inept to lead. Maybe now that Sarkozy has shown what a leader does, Obummer will do something... but probably not.
Wish we in the states had a
Wish we in the states had a leader who could make decisions about serious conditions in the world. Obama is too busy running for the 2012 election and standing with his friends, the union bosses against the tax payers of this country. He must be cautious and not speak too harshly about Qaddhafi, because he will upset his former minister Rev Wright and his friend Rev Farrakan, friends of Qaddhafi. Mr Obama is very perplexed about being a leader.
Lybia
I can hear Cameron and Obama Hussain right now. You go first ! No, you First. Obama, "the USA went first in Iraq, you go first this time". I never thought I would say this but "Good on the French" If they wait for these two geniuses, Lybia will be a waste land.
France and Germany
Once AGAIN Mr. Obama votes "PRESENT"
WE NEED A TRUE LEADER... not a wimpy organizer! "I'll gladly pay next Thursday for a vote today"!
the us would benefit from
the us would benefit from gaddafi remaining in power.
We use to lead the world
The U.S. use to lead the world...now we follow.
France Formerly Recognizes Libyan Rebels
Thank you, President Sarkozy! Back in the 80s, President Reagan bombed Ghadaffi's headquarters. Had something similar happened a week or so ago, he couldn't even control Tripoli, much less be taking back part of the country from Rebels.
My own President, Barack Obama has sided with sub-Sahara Africa, which supports Ghadaffi, who has allowed a couple million of them into Libya during the past few years.
Whatever the US does, it will be to protect immigrants in Libya, and take over its oil. When a few bombing sorties would be followed by Ghadaffi leaving on a jet plane.
leadership
Our "illustrious" leader has again taken the safe route. He waited until another country took control and made a diplomatic decision concerning the civil strife that is tearing apart Libya. Kudos to France, who's early support supported another young nation; the United States of America. Mr. Obama is supposed to president of the most powerful nation in the world, and he fails as a leader as the work burns. We are in a great need of another leader in the mold of Ronald Reagan. Mark Rubio is that man, we need common sense responsibility here at home and abroad. Let's Obama a one term president and send him to his place in history along side Jimmy Carter!
France recognizes Libyan Rebels
Look there...
At least France is thinking ahead.
It will be remembered forever who the true friends of the new Libyan Government is.
It could have been the USA except for some spineless, gutless idiot that wound up being our President.
The French have never
The French have never finished a job to the end. Now they are getting their vicarious thrill from a group of rebels who are trying to put down the government of their country. Americans, attend...
Re: France
Rumor has it that France is using their historical expertise to show the opposition forces the best way to surrender.
USA
Where is the leader of the Free World ?
Libya
While France and England step up to defend the Libyan people, Obama talks to kids about bullying. What a lightweight.
Libya
Of course France was the first to recognize the rebels, France is overly reliant on Libyan oil obtaining 16% of its total oil imports from Libya !
Liberté pour la Libye!
Gadhafi est aliéné et devrait être dans un hôpital psychiatrique ! J'espère l'aide française Libye avant que n'importe quel espoir de la liberté soit tué ?
I never thought I would live
I never thought I would live to see the day when France had more guts that the USA. Viva Le France!
recognition
recognition
Cowardly World Leaders
Leaders in Italy, the US and elsewhere are gutless "followers" not "leaders" in refusing to support or recognize the rebels. What are they waiting for? For the rebels to be killed because they won't award them respect and inspiration from recognition? Worried if they recognize the rebels and Gaddafi wins they won't be invited to his fancy parties?
Come on, recognize them and that alone will help them win. Recognition does not mean you must overcome your cowardace and provide air cover for the rebels--though that would be nice.
As an American, I sure wish we had more leaders like Sarkozy!
libya
Someone had to stepm up and take charge. Our Kenyan squatter hasn't got nuts to do so.
Sad day
The French? Really? It's a sad day for the country that is supposed to be leading the free world... Please stand up America, time is running out.
France,defenders of Liberty
France defends Freedom like it did when America rebelled against its dictators.
France is the example for The United States of America.
French Leadership
I salute France's courage and leadership. I wish my country would join France in ending Khadafy's shameful dictatorship. If nothing is done, it will be a repeat of the shame of Rwanda, a far more shameful stain on Clinton's presidency than the one he put on Monica's blue dress.
Thank God
I thank God that someone in the world has the guts to do what should be a no-brainer and do whatever it takes to get rid of the mad man Gaddafi. My biggest regret is that my country, supposedly the leader in the free world is dealing with an imposter as president (intentionally small caps) and the also rans that are his buddies in Washington. As far as I'm concerned, we in the USA should be embarassed by and ashamed of our government.
Thank you France and thank you United Kindom.
leadership
The French leading is an oxymoron, Remember what Gen Patton said: I would rather have the Germans in front of me, than the French behind!
The French have no planes, no ships, no guts! they want the US to do their dirty work so they can complain about our troops brutality and blame us for civilian deaths, it is French oil, let the Europansies do their own dirty work, NO US troops or help.
france leadership
we americans finnaly vote in a bigger pansy than france HA HA HA HA HA
freedom and liberty know no cowards.
God Bless President Sarkozy for his embrace of freedom as well liberty in the best traditions of Lafayette. France's military with its array of aircraft carriers, mirage jets,& exocets are well equipped to carry-out the missions related to assist anti Gaddafi forces. I only wish the 'Royal Navy' would set up with its excellent anti-submarine operations.
Libya
OMG, the world is coming to an end...France is teaching the US how to lead
Good for France. Glad
Good for France. Glad someone's country acts like it has a moral backbone.
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