Russia recognizes Libya's rebel council as country's sole representative

Russia recognizes Libya's rebel council as country's sole representative

2011-09-02 01:04:12 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- The Russian government on Thursday announced its decision to recognize the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) as the country's sole representative.

"Our country has established and maintained diplomatic relations with Libya since September 4, 1955, and never broke them off, regardless of which government was in power in Tripoli," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "The Russian Federation recognizes the National Transitional Council of Libya as the ruling authority and notes the program of reforms announced by it, which envisions developing a new constitution, holding general elections and forming a government."

The statement said the Russian government presumes that contracts previously signed with the government of Muammar Gaddafi will be honored, as well as relations between the two states in good faith. In response to the announcement, the NTC promised that it will fulfill any previously signed contracts.

Libya has been engulfed in a civil war since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's regime began in mid-February. Rebels have taken over large parts of Libya in recent weeks, including the country's capital of Tripoli, effectively removing Gaddafi from power although some troops are still loyal to his regime.

Nearly 80 countries have now recognized the NTC as Libya's sole representative, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Other countries have established formal or informal relations with the NTC, while some other countries only recognize the NTC as a negotiating party.

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