Nigeria Offers Backing to Libyan Rebels

Col Gaddafi

Nigeria yesterday promised the Libyan rebels and the people of the country of her assistance, saying she would do everything possible to ensure an orderly transition to democratic rule and enforcement of rule of law in the North African country.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who revealed Nigeria’s position at a press conference, said the unfolding scenario in Libya would be tabled at the African Union (AU) meeting by the country over the weekend to chart a roadmap for Libya.

“Nigeria stands ready to work with the democratic forces in Libya in this transition process,” Ashiru added.
The same angle was towed by France which promised yesterday to host a conference of countries interested in Libya next week to fashion out a roadmap for the Northern African country.

“The consistent position of Nigeria has been that we support the people of Libya and regret the suffering they have gone through” Ashiru said urging the rebels whom he described as “new leaders” to ensure magnanimity in victory, respect for human rights, peaceful and orderly transition.

According to him, the message of the rebels is very clear that they need democracy and a constitution has to be adopted to make good governance possible.

The gale of victory waxed even stronger yesterday as rebel fighters consolidated their hold on Tripoli, the Libyan capital, with the capture of the third son of Col Muammar Gaddafi, Saadi. Two of the sons had been captured earlier on Sunday night, although unconfirmed reports said one of the sons, Muhammad, escaped from house arrest.
This comes as the rebel leader and head of the National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdul Jalil, has been notified by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of its intention to have one of the sons, Al Saif Islam, brought to The Hague for trial on crimes against humanity.

But the whereabouts of Gaddafi remained unknown last night, although sources said he might be hiding within Tripoli.
Also strategically, the rebels have seized the Tripoli TV Channel, thus shutting up the propaganda machine of the routed Gaddafi regime. More strategic locations had been secured by the rebels as at last night.

However, rebel commanders said they had taken control of about 80 per cent of the capital.
Some sources said Gaddafi was still in Tripoli, while others speculate he had escaped to neighbouring Algeria or travelled to any other African country. At Gaddafi’s residence, snipers and soldiers loyal to him kept the rebels at bay by consistent gun fight by firing from rooftops.

An increasingly desperate Gaddafi took to the airwaves, telling his supporters: “I am in Tripoli. Go out. I am with you until the end.”
But the audio broadcast was not accompanied by pictures, fuelling speculation that he had already fled the capital and was attempting to seek exile in a sympathetic country.
American President Barrack Obama has declared that the end of the Gaddafi regime has come to an inglorious end, urging him to peacefully surrender.

In the same vein, British Prime Minister David Cameron commended the courage of Libyans in tackling their issues. He noted that: “His regime is falling apart and in full retreat. Gaddafi must stop fighting, without conditions – and clearly show that he has given up any claim to control Libya.

“As for his future, that should be a decision for Chairman Jalil and the new Libyan authorities. The situation in Tripoli is clearly very fluid today and there can be no complacency.

“Our task now is to do all we can to support the will of the Libyan people, which is for an effective transition to a free, democratic and inclusive Libya.”



President Obama said the situation in Libya was still fluid even though the regime of Gaddafi’s “rule is over”.
Russia and China also issued statements saying they were willing to accept what the Libyan people decided, and hinted that Gaddafi should step down. In the same vein, neighbouring Egypt has recognised the NTC as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

British Prime Minister Cameron, who along with US and France played a central role in the air campaign over Libya, said some of the fighting in Tripoli was “extremely fierce.” He said Gaddafi “must stop fighting without conditions” and relinquish all claims to power.

Mahmud Nacua, a Libyan rebel representative in London, told reporters that the insurgents would “look under every stone” for Gaddafiso that he could be brought to trial, presumably a reference to charges by the ICC in The Hague, which issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi, one of his sons, al-Islam, and his intelligence chief in June, accusing them of crimes against humanity.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said he was trying to organise a meeting by Thursday or Friday with regional actors, including the AU and the Arab League, to help smooth the transition to a new government.

He said the UN was prepared to help with any request from the Libyans, ranging from writing a new constitution to coordinating humanitarian assistance.

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also made a phone call yesterday to Chairman Jalil and congratulated him for the victory the council had achieved.

Mohammed praised the wisdom shown by Jalil when dealing with various developments in the Libyan front. He reiterated the UAE’s help and support to Libya and its people to achieve their hopes and aspirations.

He said: “We have already deployed medical supplies close to where they are needed, and have now released them to the World Health Organisation. “In the coming days, it will be important to make sure the communications networks, the electricity, the power supplies, fuel and water are maintained or repaired where they need to be.
“The National Transitional Council has been planning for this for months and we have been helping with that work. 

“Diplomatically, we have a strong mission already in Benghazi consisting of Foreign Office, military and aid specialists, and we will establish a British diplomatic presence in Tripoli as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.

“This will include stabilisation experts who have been planning for this moment with the NTC for months.
“At the UN, we will also be taking early action in the Security Council to give the new Libyan authorities the legal, diplomatic, political and financial support they need.

“We will soon be able to release the frozen assets that belong to the Libyan people. The Foreign Secretary is returning and, with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and the Development Secretary will coordinate our efforts with the NTC in the week ahead.”