Delegates from more than 30 countries seeking an end to the Libyan conflict met in Istanbul yesterday to discuss giving more financial aid and diplomatic support to Libya’s main opposition group as the rebels struggled to defeat forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.
Senior US officials have said US President Barack Obama’s administration is preparing to strengthen ties with the Transitional National Council once it presents detailed plans for a democratic government and as it becomes increasingly clear the council will govern a post-Qaddafi Libya.
There are concerns, however, about whether the initial post-Qaddafi government would represent the full spectrum of Libyan society and Human Rights Watch called on the Contact Group on Libya to press the opposition to ensure that civilians are protected in areas where rebels have assumed control.
The rights group said yesterday it has documented abuses in four towns — al-Awaniya, Rayayinah, Zawiyat al-Bagul and al-Qawalish — recently captured by rebels in the western mountains, including looting, arson and beatings of some civilians who remained when government forces withdrew.
“Rebel abuses may pale in comparison with the atrocities by Libyan government forces, but they require immediate attention,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Governments supporting the NATO campaign should push the opposition to protect civilians in areas where rebels have -control, especially where some people may support the government.”
Turkey, which is co-chairing the meeting together with the United Arab Emirates, has proposed a “road map” to help transition to a new government, calling for an immediate ceasefire and providing water, food and fuel to strife-torn cities. It wants NATO to stop targeting ground forces to prevent civilian casualties before the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan next month, HaberTurk television said yesterday.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Thursday night that Qaddafi could remain in Libya if an agreement is reached, the Hurriyet Daily News reported yesterday. Qaddafi has refused to step down although French officials have said Libyan emissaries are seeking sanctuary for the leader.
The US and a growing number of countries consider the council the legitimate interlocutor for the Libyan people, but do not formally recognize it as Libya’s government. The council has been seeking formal recognition from the US and others for months, but has only received it from a handful of nations.
The participants, including US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, are expected to look at how they can collectively help the council to govern and set up elections.
Hundreds of millions of dollars have been pledged to special financial mechanism, but tens of millions in frozen Qaddafi regime assets in the US and elsewhere are still inaccessible to the council because of the lack of recognition and UN sanctions.
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