Prague recognises Libyan rebels as country´s legal representation

The development of the situation has confirmed that the National Transitional Council´s weight has grown to an extent making it really the only legitimate political representative of the people of Libya, Schwarzenberg said.

He said the Czech Republic was among the first countries to establish contacts with the NTC. Already while on a visit to Benghazi, Libya, in late June, Schwarzenberg recognised the NTC as a credible representative of the Libyan people, he recalled.

"The recent events only confirmed the rising political weight of the National Transitional Council which since then became the only real legitimate political representative of the Libyan people," Schwarzenberg said.

"The Czech Republic is fully committed to cooperation with the new temporary government of Libya and other political representatives who will lead the country during the transitional period which will culminate by free and fair elections," Schwarzenberg continued.

The Czech Republic, which has already offered its assistance to Libya, is ready to extend its assistance further. It wants to take part in the post-war reconstruction of Libya in a bilateral way or as a part of a broader international effort of the EU, UN or NATO, the statement says.

According to available information, the NTC has already been recognised by over 50 countries. Some states provided diplomatic support to the Libyan rebels far earlier. France was the first to recognise the NTC in March, followed by Germany in mid-June.

Last week, the Czech Foreign Ministry began to discuss whether Czech embassador Josef Koutsky should return to Tripoli.

Prague closed its embassy in Libya and the diplomats returned home after unrest broke out in Libya in February.

Last Monday, diplomats flew a red-and-black-and-green flag on the Libyan diplomatic mission building in Prague in reaction to the occupation of a large part of Tripoli by the rebels. Charge d´affaires Nuri Ghavi then expressed regret at Prague not having officially recognised the rebels´ government yet.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz