Monthly Archives: August 2011

Libyan rebels appeal for African Union recognition

Posted on August 27, 2011 by

The head of the Libyan rebel government called on the African Union on Friday to recognize them as the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people and warned that a lack of funds could threaten the new rulers’ legitimacy. Mahmoud Jibril, the head of the National Transitional Council, also renewed a call for the urgent release of frozen Libyan assets, saying the government could face a “legitimacy crisis” if the Libyan people’s demands are not met. Jibril said the opposition needs the money to pay state salaries and maintain services in Libya, including in areas still under Muammar el-Qadhafi’s control. Funds are also needed for an army and a police force … Continue reading →

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African Union refuses to recognize new rebel-led Libyan gov’t

Posted on August 27, 2011 by

By Henry Gombya The African Union (AU) has adhered to Dr David Matsanga’s press statement in which he urged them not to go ahead and recognise Libya’s Transitional National Council (TNC). The Libyan rebels, who are now in the process of forming a government, suffered a setback in their pursuit of legitimacy yesterday when the AU refused to recognise them as being the country’s legitimate government. While more than 40 countries, including some African states, have already recognised the TNC, divisions remain within the African Union, with many adamant that they cannot recognise a group of rebels who they know nothing about. The African leaders may be trying to take … Continue reading →

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South Africa drops objection to release frozen Libyan funds

Posted on August 26, 2011 by

By Staff Writer and agency reports. Further editing by Henry Gombya South Africa has finally bowed to pressure from the United States, France and Great Britain and agreed to join the United Nations Security Council in releasing billions of dollars in Libyan frozen funds to the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) that is now effectively in control of the North African country. South Africa had for weeks blocked a request by the United States to the UN Security Council to make hundreds of millions of dollars in Libyan assets available to the rebels for civilian and humanitarian purposes. Jacob Zuma, the South African President, has come under great pressure from … Continue reading →

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Why Turkey is leading the way to ‘help’ Libyan rebels

Posted on August 26, 2011 by

Hesitant at first to dump one-time friend Muammar Gaddafi and to back NATO operations, Turkey is taking a lead role in efforts to rebuild Libya now the Libyan leader is on the run, eyeing billion dollar deals and hoping to extend its influence in north Africa. Muslim Turkey, a rising diplomatic and political power in the Middle East and in North Africa, had close political ties with Gaddafi and Turkish companies had projects worth more than $15 billion in the oil producing nation last year. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who in February said NATO intervention in Libya was “out of the question,” once received the Gaddafi International peace prize from Gaddafi … Continue reading →

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Matsanga urges AU not to recognise Libyan rebels

Posted on August 24, 2011 by

By Henry Gombya African leaders have been urged not to recognise the Transitional National Council (TNC) of Libya that is currently on the verge of taking over power from Col Moammar al-Qadhafi. In a press statement he issued Wednesday, a copy of which he gave to The London Evening Post, Dr David Matsanga, who all along has urged the African Union (AU) to support the beleaguered Libyan leader, warned that it would be a very big mistake were the AU to recognise the TNC before knowing who exactly is behind the council that is expected to replace the Qadhafi regime, said the AU should instead condemn the actions of the … Continue reading →

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