War On Libya and Its Reaction + More Related News (UPDATE) (March – July 20,2011)
Laaska News May 27,2011
.
.
Laaska News May 26,2011
.
South African president to attend Jonathan’s inauguration in Nigeria
.
LAGOS, May 26 (Xinhua) — South African President Jacob Zuma is to attend the inauguration of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29.
Zuma, according to a statement issued by his office on Wednesday,will use the opportunity, to strengthen the warm relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
The statement said Zuma would also visit Tripoli for a discussion with Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi on May 30, in his capacity as a member of the AU High Level Panel for the resolution of the conflict in Libya.
Xinhua.
.Tunisian PM receives Libyan opposition representative . TUNIS, May 25 (Xinhua) — Tunisian interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi on Wednesday received a representative of the Libyan rebel National Transition Council (NTC), the state-run press agency TAP reported.Essebsi met with the NTC representative Abderrahmane Chalgham, TAP said, adding that no other information was given about the meeting.It is the first time since the unrest in Libya that a Tunisian official receives a NTC representative.A number of Libyan officials, including the country’s foreign affairs minister, defected and entered Tunisia through the Ras El Jedir border point.Xinhua. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Laaska News May 25,2011
.
Russia calls NATO’s latest airstrike in Tripoli violation of UN resolution
.
South African president in renewed Libyan peace bid
.
JOHANNESBURG, May 25 (Xinhua) — South African President Jacob Zuma, a member of the African Union (AU) high level panel on Libya, will visit Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli on May 30, the South African Presidency said on Wednesday.
In April Zuma led an African Union mission to Tripoli in a bid to help end the conflict between Gaddafi and rebel forces.
While the Times newspaper in Johannesburg speculated that on his next trip Zuma will discuss an exit strategy for the beleaguered Libyan leader, the South African presidency statement merely said Zuma will make the journey “for a discussion”.
The South African Press Association (SAPA) reported that Zuma will travel first to Nigeria to attend the inauguration of that country’s president-elect Goodluck Jonathan.
From Nigeria he will stop over in Tripoli in his capacity as a member of the AU high level panel for the resolution of the conflict in Libya, presidential spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement to SAPA.
Following the disclosure on May 19 that South Africa photographer Anton Hammerl had been slain by Libyan forces on April 5, both the South Africa government and the country’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) have criticized the Libyan government for its handling of the matter.
South Africa’s international relations minister, Maite Nkoana- Mashabane, said Libya of lying, adding that Libya had known all along that Hammerl had been shot dead in April, but kept reassuring South African officials that he was safe.
Talk Radio 702 reported in Johannesburg said Zuma’s visit to Libya will be made in cooperation with the Turkish government.
Xinhua.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
.
Russia calls NATO’s latest airstrike in Tripoli violation of UN resolution
.
MOSCOW, May 25 (Xinhua) — The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called NATO’s recent airstrikes of Tripoli a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions.
“It is another major deviation from the UN Security Council’s Resolutions 1970 and 1973,” Konstantin Dolgov, Russian Foreign Ministry’s envoy on human rights, democracy and supremacy of law, said in a statement issued Wednesday.
The statement said it was obvious that the latest bombing could not stop the military confrontation in Libya but can only cause more sufferings for the civilians.
The Russian diplomat reiterated that Russia is still convinced that the situation in Libya can only be normalized by immediately halting all military action and starting political settlement processes, reported Interfax news agency.
“We are again urging all parties to follow the UN resolutions and the international humanitarian law to provide real protection to the civilian population of Libya from the threats associated with the conflict,” Dolgov said.
NATO airstrikes killed 19 people and injured over 130 others in Tripoli overnight Tuesday.
Xinhua.
Laaska News May 24,2011
Libyan opposition to open office in Washington: U.S. diplomat
Jordan says Libyan opposition legitimate
Russia ready for talks with Libyan opposition
Russia recognizes the Interim National Council (INC) as a legitimate partner for talks on the future of Libya. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared this after his talks in Moscow with Abdel Rahman Shalgam, a spokesman for the Libyan opposition. The foreign minister said that the talks did not stipulate that the INC should be the only representative of the Libyan people.
During the Moscow meeting which took place on Monday, the delegation of the Libyan opposition spoke against a NATO ground operation and declared that it had no intention to negotiate with Muammar Gaddafi.
VOR.
Jordan says Libyan opposition legitimate
AMMAN, May 24 (Xinhua) — Jordan on Tuesday said it considers the Libyan opposition’s interim National Transitional Council (NTC) a legitimate representative for the Libyan people, the state-run Petra news agency reported.
In a telephone call with head of the executive committee of the NTC Mahmoud Jebreel, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh commended the role of the council and its positions in attempting to realize the aspirations of the Libyan people.
Stressing that coordination with the council is necessary to ensure the smooth flow of Jordanian humanitarian assistance to Libya, the minister said Jordan is planning to dispatch a permanent envoy to Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi to enhance coordination.
Libyan opposition to open office in Washington: U.S. diplomat
BENGHAZI, Libya, May 24 (Xinhua) — The visiting U.S. assistant secretary of state Jeffery Feltman on Tuesday said that at the invitation of U.S. president Barack Obama, the Libyan opposition will establish a representative office in Washington.
“This step marks an important milestone in our relationship with the National Transitional Council,” Feltman told the reporters at a press conference at the end of his visit in Libyan opposition’s base Benghazi.
Feltman reiterated that the Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi had lost legitimacy to rule, calling him to step down immediately and allow the Libyan people to determine their own future.
He delivered a message from Obama, saying the U.S. is committed to protecting the civilians in Libya.
“President Obama also underscored the U.S. commitment to work with our international partners to support the National Transitional Council and efforts for democratic institutions, and he stressed the U.S. will continue to focus on finding ways to improve the National Transitional Council’s financial situations,” said Feltman.
Feltman was in Benghazi for talks with the opposition leadership during a three-day visit from Sunday to Tuesday. He said he has held talks with the National Transitional Council leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil and representatives from various groups.
The opposition is now seeking and gaining more international support in its fight against Gaddafi’s government. Following Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and the European Union high representative of foreign and security policy Catherine Ashton, Feltman is another high-ranking diplomats who visited the opposition’s base.
Xinhua.
.
Turkish FM says Libyan opposition authority legitimate
.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (R) attends a joint press conference with Mustafa Abdel Jalil, chairman of the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council (NTC), in Ankara, capital of Turkey, May 23, 2011. Davutoglu said Monday the NTC is legitimate but that a change of political system in the country must be peaceful. (Xinhua/Anadolu)
ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) — Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) is legitimate but that a change of political system in the country must be peaceful.
Turkey saw the NTC as a legitimate and recognized representative of Libyan people, Davutoglu told a joint press conference with visiting NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil in Ankara.
He said there was a need for a political system in line with Libyan people’s legitimate demands but transition to such a system should be made through peaceful means.
One of Turkey’s priorities is to protect Libya’s territorial integrity and maintain the country’s political unity, he noted.
Jalil said he supports a road map proposed by Turkey to end the Libyan crisis and has understood Turkey’s stance against bloodshed since the beginning.
“We support Turkey’s plan that symbolizes and solidifies the needs of the Libyan people, which include removing Gaddafi from the country,” he said.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan proposed a road map in April to end the war in Libya which would include a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces from besieged cities and democracy to be established as soon as possible.
The only Islamic country in NATO, Turkey has repeatedly voiced its opposition since West-led air strikes began. However, after days of negotiation, all NATO member states, including Turkey, agreed to take over command of the military operations against Libya.
Turkey has conducted large-scale humanitarian relief efforts in Libya but drew criticisms from Libyan opposition due to Ankara’s objection to arming Libyan rebels. The opposition blamed Turkey for restricting NATO operations against Gaddafi administration.
Earlier this month Ankara toughened its tone as Erdogan urged Gaddafi to immediately cede power.
Turkey has tried all diplomatic ways to settle the Libyan crisis but supports the UN resolutions on setting up a no-fly zone and protecting civilians because of continuing violence against civilians in Libya, said Davutoglu.
Jalil arrived in Ankara on Monday and held talks with Davutoglu, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul.
Davutoglu said he and Jalil had discussed the humanitarian situation in Libya, particularly the situation of refugees in Tunisia and reconstruction of hospitals and schools.
.
Libyan opposition envoy says no talks with Gaddafi
.
MOSCOW, May 23 (Xinhua) — Libyan opposition’s envoy from the Interim Transitional National Council on Monday said here that they would not hold any talks with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.The envoy, who is also a former Libyan foreign minister, Abdul- Rahman Shalgam, made the remarks in a press conference after his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“Who must cease fire? Gaddafi must,” Shalgam said, adding that “We will have peace and no gunfire when Gaddafi steps down from power or leaves the country.”
Meanwhile, Shalgam said that the dialogue between them and Moscow was “desirable.”
“We want it very much to be in touch with Russia, because it is a very important country, a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” he added.
Earlier on the day, Lavrov said the main aim of the meeting between Russia and the Libyan opposition is to gain a cease-fire in Libya.
With regard to NATO’s possible ground military operation in Libya, Shalgam said that the opposition stood firmly against any ground operations.
However, he still supported NATO’s operations in Libya, saying that western coalition has been operating to protect the Libyan people under the UN mandate but not on their own initiative.
NATO said its air campaign had rolled back the ability of government forces to attack the opposition fighters and their supporters, and had effectively forced Gaddafi himself into hiding.
However, the three-month conflict seems to have reached in a deadlock, as the opposition controls the east part of Libya and some of the west but cannot advance westward further to the capital of Tripoli.
.
Turkish FM says Libyan opposition authority legitimate
ANKARA, May 23 (Xinhua) — Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) is legitimate but that a change of political system in the country must be peaceful.
Turkey saw the NTC as a legitimate and recognized representative of Libyan people, Davutoglu told a joint press conference with visiting NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil in Ankara.
He said there was a need for a political system in line with Libyan people’s legitimate demands but transition to such a system should be made through peaceful means.
One of Turkey’s priorities is to protect Libya’s territorial integrity and maintain the country’s political unity, he noted.
Jalil said he supports a road map proposed by Turkey to end the Libyan crisis and has understood Turkey’s stance against bloodshed since the beginning.
“We support Turkey’s plan that symbolizes and solidifies the needs of the Libyan people, which include removing Gaddafi from the country,” he said.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan proposed a road map in April to end the war in Libya which would include a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces from besieged cities and democracy to be established as soon as possible.
The only Islamic country in NATO, Turkey has repeatedly voiced its opposition since West-led air strikes began. However, after days of negotiation, all NATO member states, including Turkey, agreed to take over command of the military operations against Libya.
Turkey has conducted large-scale humanitarian relief efforts in Libya but drew criticisms from Libyan opposition due to Ankara’s objection to arming Libyan rebels. The opposition blamed Turkey for restricting NATO operations against Gaddafi administration.
Earlier this month Ankara toughened its tone as Erdogan urged Gaddafi to immediately cede power.
Turkey has tried all diplomatic ways to settle the Libyan crisis but supports the UN resolutions on setting up a no-fly zone and protecting civilians because of continuing violence against civilians in Libya, said Davutoglu.
Jalil arrived in Ankara on Monday and held talks with Davutoglu, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul.
Davutoglu said he and Jalil had discussed the humanitarian situation in Libya, particularly the situation of refugees in Tunisia and reconstruction of hospitals and schools.
Xinhua.
,
.
EU ready to protect convoy in Libya
.
Arrival of a greek military plane carrying medical aid at the airport of Benghazi, Libya. Photo: EPA
The EU Foreign Affairs Council is ready for a new operation in Libya to secure humanitarian convoys in the region. The Council says it’s working on a strategy together with the UN and NATO. Foreign Ministers also gave Gaddafi the final call to immediately cease fire, calling his regime illegitimate.
Russia reacted with a statement that the operation would require additional UN resolutions.
VOR.
Laaska News.
www.laaska.wordpress.com
Related Articles:
Libya:Convoys in Libya need new UN resolution
.
May 23,2011
.
Russia-Libyan opposition meeting aims to facilitate ceasefire: FM
.
MOSCOW, May 23 (Xinhua) — The main aim of a pending meeting between Russia and the Libyan opposition is to gain a ceasefire in Libya, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
Lavrov will hold a meeting Monday evening with former Libyan foreign minister Abdul-Rahman Shalgam, an envoy of the opposition’s Interim Transitional National Council.
“We try to facilitate an earlier end of bloodshed and armed conflict by all those involved,” Lavrov said at a news conference.
He said ceasefire, truce, dialogue and agreements were “unavoidable” in Libya, adding “all must end in this way, the sooner the better.”
NATO said its air campaign had rolled back the ability of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces to attack the opposition fighters and their supporters, and had effectively forced Gaddafi himself into hiding.
However, the three-month conflict seems to have reached in a deadlock, as the opposition controls the east part of Libya and some of the west but cannot advance westward further to the capital of Tripoli.
“We support the initiatives of the African Union and the UN,” Lavrov said.
Last week, Lavrov met representatives of the Libyan government and the UN special envoy to Libya.
EU pledges long-term support to Libyan opposition
BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhuanet) — EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has reiterated that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi must relinquish power. She was speaking from the rebel stronghold Benghazi, where she also promised to offer long-term support to the Libyan opposition.
Catherine Ashton gave Libya’s embattled opposition a boost on Sunday.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said, “Gaddafi must leave. And we must have a future for Libya that belongs to the people of Libya and moves forward as they would wish.”
Ashton also announced the opening of EU’s office in Benghazi, an effort to support the opposition.
Catherine Ashton said, “By opening the office of the European Union, I bring the commitment of the European Union 27 Member States — and all of the institutions — in support of the people of Benghazi and of the people of Libya.”
Ashton says she’s held talks on key issues with the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council, and representatives of young people, media, and human rights organization during her visit in Benghazi.
Catherine Ashton said, “We don’t just come for today but we are here for the long term. What the European Union can offer is support as you build the country of the future, your institutions your economy and your political life, we will be here to support you every step of the way.”
Earlier after meeting the Transitional Council chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil, Ashton said the EU would support the opposition in border management and security reform.
Jalil told reporters that the opposition would abide by all the conventions and international laws. They plan to mobilize all the Libyan people to rebuild the country.
Ashton visited Benghazi’s Liberation Square soon after the EU delegation arrived on Sunday morning. Her visit came shortly after NATO bombed the capital Tripoli and Gaddafi’s nearby compound late Saturday.
Xinhua.
.
Laaska News.
www.laaska.wordpress.com
.
LAASKA NEWS AND ANALYSIS 