US Formally Recognizes Libya Rebels

[Feuer Frei!]

The United States and other nations on Friday formally recognized Libya's main opposition group as the country's legitimate government until a new interim authority is formed.The decision, which declared Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's regime no longer legitimate, will potentially free up cash that the rebels fighting Libyan forces urgently need.
The front lines in the Libyan civil war have largely stagnated since the popular uprising seeking to oust Gadhafi broke out in February. Rebels, backed by NATO's air force bombings, control much of the country's east and pockets in the west. But Gadhafi controls the rest from his stronghold in Tripoli, the capital.

Foreign ministers and other representatives of the so-called Contact Group on Libya said in a statement Friday that the "Gadhafi regime no longer has any legitimate authority in Libya." They said the Libyan strongman and certain members of his family must go.


The group said it would deal with Libya's main opposition group - the National Transitional Council, or NTC - as "the legitimate governing authority in Libya" until an interim authority is in place. In addition to the U.S., the 32-nation Contact Group on Libya includes members of NATO, the European Union and the Arab League.
The recognition of the Libyan opposition as the legitimate government gives foes of Gadhafi a major financial and credibility boost. Diplomatic recognition of the council means that the U.S. will be able to fund the opposition with some of the more than $30 billion in Gahdafi-regime assets that are frozen in American banks.
Contact Group representatives broke into spontaneous applause when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced U.S. recognition of the NTC, according to U.S. officials.
"The United States views the Gadhafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Clinton said. "And so I am announcing today that, until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognize the NTC as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis."
Rebel spokesman Mahmoud Shammam welcomed the NTC's recognition and called on other nations to deliver on a promise to release hundreds of millions of dollars in funds to the opposition. "Funds, funds, funds," Shammam said, in order to stress the opposition's demand.
He said the opposition hopes to hold elections within a year and resume oil exports very soon, saying the damage to oil facilities has been minimal and repaired. However, Shammam ruled out any new oil contracts until a new elected government is in place.


There had been concerns about whether the initial replacement government would represent the full spectrum of Libyan society. Human Right Watch urged the Contact Group on Libya to press the opposition to ensure that civilians are protected in areas where rebels have assumed control, citing abuses in four towns - Awaniya, Rayayinah, Zawiyat al-Bagul, and Qawalish - recently captured by rebels in the western mountains, including looting, arson and beatings of some civilians who remained when government forces withdrew.
The recognition does not mean that the U.S. diplomatic mission in the rebel-held city of Benghazi, Libya, is now an embassy. Titles of staff and names of offices will be decided in the coming days, the official said.
Meanwhile, Gadhafi urged his loyalists to take up arms to attack Libya's enemies.
"Crashing waves of angry masses, rising to the challenge with high heads and loud voice saying we will never surrender. Smash NATO! We are courageous, we are mujahedeen!" said the Libyan leader in a televised address on Thursday.


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A silly move in my opinion, there was no need to follow the French on recognition.

I tend to give a wide berth when two men are fighting, less the winner starts on me.

[Sailor Steve]

The French were the first to recognize us while we were still fighting the British for our independence. On the other hand their reasons were partly selfish. They despised the British and wanted them to lose just as much as they wanted freedom to prevail.

Pretty much the same as the French, the US and Gaddafi.

[MH]

Its about getting over with it already.
Start pumping oil and finito la comedia.

[Platapus]

The enemy of my enemy is my ?

[Rockstar]

"The United States views the Gadhafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Clinton said. "And so I am announcing today that, until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognize the NTC as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis."

Ok, now I've heard the slogans about freedom and democracy and the need to dispose of an 'evile dictator' and all that jazz. A few days later everyone is on the bandwagon. I saw the head line of some nameless Libyan pleading for the U.S. to start the bombing like Bush did in Iraq. A few days later, the bombing begins. But I've yet to hear anything as to what actually sets this new oppressive legitimate authority apart from old oppressive and now illegitimate authority. Why are we recognizing these rebels?

Wonder if Western nations feel as though they might be losing control of the Middle East and need a new friend with oil to control and influence.