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| Africa North |
| Hague meets Libyan rebels |
| 2011-06-05 |
| Britain demonstrated its solidarity with the cause of the Libyan rebel forces in a dramatic fashion yesterday, as the foreign secretary, William Hague, became the first government minister to visit their stronghold of Benghazi in the east of the country. Following his unannounced visit he said he had seen the "inspiring" hope of many Libyans for freedom. Hague's visit came in the wake of the first attacks by British Apache helicopters which targeted Muammar Gaddafi's troops, destroying a radar station and a military checkpoint during a night-time raid. Hague and the international development secretary, Andrew Mitchell, discussed a political roadmap for Libya's future with the head of the National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdul Jalil. The council is recognised by the UK as the legitimate post-Gaddafi government and has been given significant non-military assistance by the British government. Hague stressed the importance of "developing plans for a competent, inclusive and transparent administration that includes clear civilian control of military and regional representation". The ministers spoke about British humanitarian assistance, visited a medical centre and laid a wreath at Commonwealth war graves before meeting citizens in Benghazi's Freedom Square. "We are here today for one principal reason: to show our support for the Libyan people and for the National Transitional Council, the legitimate representative of the Libyan people," Hague said. "We are here together as part of a coordinated and strategic approach to Libya – ensuring that our military, diplomatic and development actions are aligned." Renewing calls on Gaddafi to go, he said the dictator was "isolated internationally and domestically" and "continues to abuse human rights without mercy or compunction". Hague added: "Of course we all want a political, not a military, solution to any conflict, including this one. But that is only possible if Colonel Gaddafi will go. "You only have to talk to the people here, see the graffiti that is written on all the walls, listen to anybody in the street, to realise that there isn't a political solution that involves Gaddafi still being at the head of Libya." |
| Posted by:Steve White |