Benelux countries recognize Libya's rebel council as sole representative

[News_Editor]

Benelux countries recognize Libya's rebel council as sole representative

2011-07-13 17:58:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

PARIS (BNO NEWS) -- The three countries of the Benelux - Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg - on Wednesday decided to recognize the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) as the country's sole representative.

The Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) said the announcement was made by Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere of Belgium. "We recognize the Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people during this transition," Vanackere was cited as saying.

The recognition was unexpected as officials in both Belgium and the Netherlands have previously insisted that they only recognize countries, not governments. Vanackere also renewed his call for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to go.

Libya has been engulfed in a civil war since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's regime began in mid-February, while Libyan forces have been accused of violently cracking down on anti-government protesters. It led to UN Security Council Resolution 1973 which authorized member states to impose a no-fly zone over the North African country and to take 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians.

A total of 26 countries have now recognized the NTC as Libya's sole representative, including the United Kingdom and France. Other countries have established formal or informal relations with the NTC, while some other countries only recognized the NTC as a negotiating party.

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