June 14, 2011
June 14, 2011
Libya on Tuesday slammed as “irresponsible” a visit to the rebel capital Benghazi by Germany’s foreign minister, as the US pressed Africa to take tougher action against Moamer Kadhafi’s regime.
Rebels meanwhile said they suffered heavy losses in eastern Libya after being “tricked” by Khadafi’s forces, amid a resurgence of fighting in the north African country after weeks of stalemate.
Libya’s foreign ministry said Monday’s visit by German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle to Benghazi was a “violation” of Tripoli’s sovereignty.
In a statement, the ministry condemned the trip as “irresponsible” and said it “does not help efforts by regional and international organisations to find a peaceful solution to what is happening in Libya.”
The visit, it added, was “a flagrant violation of national sovereignty, an interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation and member of the United Nations, and is contrary to international norms and convention.”
During his visit to Benghazi, eastern seat of the Libyan rebellion, Westerwelle said Kadhafi “had lost all legitimacy”.
He announced after meeting rebel leaders that Berlin recognises their National Transitional Council (NTC) as the “legitimate representative” of the Libyan people.
In doing so, Germany became the 13th nation to recognise the NTC after Australia, Britain, France, Gambia, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Qatar, Senegal, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Excerpted from AFP
