UK expels Gaddafi diplomats and recognises Libya rebels

[Gerald]

William Hague has said the UK will recognise the Libyan rebel council as the "sole governmental authority", as Gaddafi-regime diplomats are expelled.

The Libyan charge d'affaires was called to the Foreign Office earlier to be told he and other diplomats must leave.

Instead the UK will ask the National Transitional Council to appoint a new diplomatic envoy.

It follows similar moves by the US and France. The UK previously said it recognised "countries not governments".

A Foreign Office spokesman said that had not changed and said it was a political, not legal, recognition.

The green flag of the Gaddafi regime was still flying outside the embassy in Knightsbridge on Wednesday afternoon and attempts to reach staff for comment were not successful. Protesters carrying the red, green and black flag of the Libyan rebels gathered outside.

Libyan rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces are still locked in battle, five months after an uprising began against Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year rule, as Nato continues to enforce a UN-backed no-fly zone over the country.
'Sole authority'

At a press conference, Mr Hague said the NTC had shown its commitment to a "more open and democratic Libya... in stark contrast to Gaddafi whose brutality against the Libyan people has stripped him of all legitimacy".

He said a recent meeting of the Libya contact group in Istanbul had decided to treat the NTC as the legitimate government authority in Libya - and he was outlining the UK's response to that.

The UK would now deal with the NTC "on the same basis as other governments around the world" - and as a result the Libyan charge d'affaires had been summoned to the Foreign Office to be told all Gaddafi regime diplomats must now leave. It is thought that eight Libyan diplomats remain at the embassy.

"We no longer recognise them as the representatives of the Libyan government and we are inviting the National Transitional Council to appoint a new Libyan diplomatic envoy to take over the Libyan embassy in London," he said.

The change meant the UK could give "greater practical assistance than we've been able to give so far", he added.

The Foreign Office said the charge d'affaires, Khaled Benshaban, would be given three days to leave - while others would be decided on a "case-by-case basis".

Mr Hague said he was working with the NTC and Libyan banks and would do "all we can" to ensure Libyan students in the UK continue to receive the funds currently paid for by the Libyan embassy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14306544


Note: 27 July 2011 Last updated at 11:30 GMT

[STEED]

Why did it take so long?

[BossMark]

Originally Posted by STEED

Why did it take so long?

Good question, maybe our beloved Tory government had other things on their minds.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by STEED

Why did it take so long?

Don't tell me your suprised

[STEED]

BTW:

Hague 'outrage' at Lockerbie bomber's TV appearance

Mr Hague said Megrahi's television appearance would intensify "anger and outrage" at his release
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Foreign Secretary William Hague has said a TV appearance by the Lockerbie bomber will intensify the "anger and outrage" at his release from jail.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14308875


Doing well for someone who was on his death bed and only weeks to live!

[STEED]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Don't tell me your suprised

No..Just shows how crass this government is.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by STEED

No..Just shows how crass this government is.

They're far too busy trying to work out how to divvy out the foreign aid and identifying the vulnerable people in our society who can least afford to have their welfare lifeline cut...or so rumour has it

[STEED]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

They're far too busy trying to work out how to divvy out the foreign aid and identifying the vulnerable people in our society who can least afford to have their welfare lifeline cut...or so rumour has it

Death to pensioners!

That's long been on the books.

As you say jim, there now trying to kill the rest of us!

Of course they would never admit it or put it in writing.

[STEED]

Originally Posted by STEED

BTW:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14308875


Doing well for someone who was on his death bed and only weeks to live!

I bet American's are thumping angry about this.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by STEED

Death to pensioners!

That's long been on the books.

As you say jim, there now trying to kill the rest of us!

Of course they would never admit it or put it in writing.

[ZeeWolf]

I think this whole embassy/diplomat structure that
the Internationalist/Globalist has authored has
decayed in to a means to transfer bribe money assassins
and spies etc.. And has become as corrupted as
the governments that profit from them [embassies] most.
And with England being the "Dr. Frankenstein" of the
guys like Gaddafi. IMO. So, this should be viewed (with
at least) skepticism.

ZeeWolf

I bet American's are thumping angry about this.

I bet both they and the British would have been even angrier and frustrated if the appeal had gone ahead(not to mention a little poorer)