Gerald
09-15-11, 06:40 AM
Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron hold Tripoli news conference with NTC leaders.
British PM David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are in Libya, the most senior Western leaders to visit since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted.
Their countries were at the forefront of Nato's Libyan operation.
They met National Transitional Council (NTC) leaders in Tripoli, and are to fly to Benghazi to speak in the former rebel stronghold's Liberty Square.
NTC chief Mustafa Abdul Jalil thanked the two leaders for taking "brave positions" during the Libyan uprising.
"They showed us political economic and military support which helped the rebels establish a state, and we thank France and the UK for that," he told a Tripoli news conference.
On Wednesday, Mr Abdul Jalil had appealed for weapons to help the NTC take the few areas of Libya still loyal to Col Gaddafi, telling the BBC the fugitive leader was in the country's south, plotting his revenge.
Responding, the British and French leaders praised the bravery of the Libyan people, and pledged continued support for the NTC's goal of creating a peaceful and democratic state.
"The fact that roads are full of traffic, your water is flowing, your hospitals are working, this is impressive," said Mr Cameron.
"But this is not finished. Gaddafi is still at large. We must keep on with the Nato mission until civilians are all protected and this work is finished.
"We will help you find Gaddafi and bring him to justice, and we will help you take dangerous weapons such as mines and surface-to-air missiles out of Libya."
Easing sanctions
Mr Cameron and Mr Sarkozy arrived in Libya earlier on Thursday and flew by helicopter to a hospital where they were greeted by crowds of cheering staff and patients.
The two leaders are hugely popular in Libya, where common graffiti slogans include: "Merci Sarkozy!" and "Thank you Britain!"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14926308
Note: 15 September 2011 Last updated at 11:34 GMT
British PM David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are in Libya, the most senior Western leaders to visit since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted.
Their countries were at the forefront of Nato's Libyan operation.
They met National Transitional Council (NTC) leaders in Tripoli, and are to fly to Benghazi to speak in the former rebel stronghold's Liberty Square.
NTC chief Mustafa Abdul Jalil thanked the two leaders for taking "brave positions" during the Libyan uprising.
"They showed us political economic and military support which helped the rebels establish a state, and we thank France and the UK for that," he told a Tripoli news conference.
On Wednesday, Mr Abdul Jalil had appealed for weapons to help the NTC take the few areas of Libya still loyal to Col Gaddafi, telling the BBC the fugitive leader was in the country's south, plotting his revenge.
Responding, the British and French leaders praised the bravery of the Libyan people, and pledged continued support for the NTC's goal of creating a peaceful and democratic state.
"The fact that roads are full of traffic, your water is flowing, your hospitals are working, this is impressive," said Mr Cameron.
"But this is not finished. Gaddafi is still at large. We must keep on with the Nato mission until civilians are all protected and this work is finished.
"We will help you find Gaddafi and bring him to justice, and we will help you take dangerous weapons such as mines and surface-to-air missiles out of Libya."
Easing sanctions
Mr Cameron and Mr Sarkozy arrived in Libya earlier on Thursday and flew by helicopter to a hospital where they were greeted by crowds of cheering staff and patients.
The two leaders are hugely popular in Libya, where common graffiti slogans include: "Merci Sarkozy!" and "Thank you Britain!"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14926308
Note: 15 September 2011 Last updated at 11:34 GMT