Sarkozy to visit Libya for talks with opposition
May 27th, 2011 - 10:19 pm ICT by IANSDeauville (France), May 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) French President Nicolas Sarkozy will pay a visit to the Libyan opposition stronghold of Benghazi to hold talks with the rebels.
“The head of the transitional council has invited me, and I together with (French Foreign Minister) Allan Juppe will head to Benghazi at the right moment… We would like… to meet with those who want to rebuild tomorrow’s democratic Libya,” Sarkozy said at the G8 summit in Deauville.
The date of his visit was not specified.
France along with Italy and Qatar has already recognised Libya’s Transitional National Council formed Feb 27.
The US also views the rebel government as “legitimate”, but is yet to recognise it.
The unrest in the North African country, which began in mid-February, has already claimed thousands of lives, with long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi’s troops maintaining their combat capabilities despite massive NATO air strikes against them.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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