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Libya Contact Group 'to present truce plan' US recognises Libyan rebel TNC as legitimate authority
(40 minutes later)
Western and Arab diplomats will draw up a plan to end hostilities in Libya which will be presented to Col Muammar Gaddafi, Italy's foreign minister says. The United States has recognised the Libyan opposition as the country's "legitimate governing authority".
Speaking at a meeting of the Libya Contact Group, Franco Frattini said members had also agreed to recognise the rebel National Transitional Council as the legitimate authority in Libya. That means billions of dollars of Libyan assets frozen in US banks could be released to the rebels.
He said that would leave Col Gaddafi "no other option" but to leave power. The decision was announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a diplomatic meeting in Istanbul.
Many contact group members have already individually recognised the NTC. Western and Arab members of the Libya Contact Group are drawing up a plan to end hostilities, which will be presented to Col Muammar Gaddafi.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, and UK Foreign Secretary William Hague are among those representing more than 30 countries at the contact group meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. "The United States views the Gaddafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Mrs Clinton said.
The fourth gathering of the group since March has been called to consider the next phase in the campaign in Libya. "And so I am announcing today that, until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognise the TNC [Transitional National Council] as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis."
Mr Frattini said the UN special envoy to Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, would take the contact group's proposals to the Libyan leadership, and negotiate on their behalf. She added that: "The TNC has offered important assurances today, including the promise to pursue a process of democratic reform that is inclusive both geographically and politically."
"This political package is a political offer, including a ceasefire," he said. Other foreign ministers said the whole contact group, including more than 30 Western and Arab countries, agreed to recognise the rebels.
Mr Frattini said Mr Khatib would be the only official allowed to negotiate. Many contact group members have already individually recognised the TNC.
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the decision left Col Gaddafi "no other option" but to leave power.
'After Gaddafi''After Gaddafi'
Mr Frattini said the UN special envoy to Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, would take the contact group's ceasefire proposals to the Libyan leadership, and negotiate on their behalf.
"This political package is a political offer, including a ceasefire," he said.
Mrs Clinton said any deal "must involve Gaddafi's departure" from power, according to the Reuters news agency.
A senior US official travelling with Mrs Clinton was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying: "Countries are starting to look past Gaddafi.A senior US official travelling with Mrs Clinton was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying: "Countries are starting to look past Gaddafi.
"He's going to go, and the meeting can be a useful place to take stock of and prepare for that transition.""He's going to go, and the meeting can be a useful place to take stock of and prepare for that transition."
The meeting is expected to explore measures to increase the pressure on the Libyan regime, such as constraining government broadcasting. It will also look at a report on the Libyan opposition NTC's plans for progress to democracy. The meeting is expected to explore measures to increase the pressure on the Libyan regime, such as constraining government broadcasting. It will also look at a report on the TNC's plans for progress to democracy.
Representatives of the Benghazi-based NTC will be at the meeting, but invitations to China and Russia were both declined. Representatives of the Benghazi-based TNC were at the meeting, but invitations to China and Russia were both declined.
Fuel crisis
The conflict in Libya appears to be in a protracted stalemate. Rebels are holding eastern Libya and pockets in the west.The conflict in Libya appears to be in a protracted stalemate. Rebels are holding eastern Libya and pockets in the west.
Col Gaddafi remains entrenched in the capital Tripoli, despite a Nato bombing campaign of more than 6,000 sorties against regime forces.Col Gaddafi remains entrenched in the capital Tripoli, despite a Nato bombing campaign of more than 6,000 sorties against regime forces.
International sanctions have also been imposed and international arrest warrants issued against leading figures in the Libyan regime.International sanctions have also been imposed and international arrest warrants issued against leading figures in the Libyan regime.
In Tripoli, Col Gaddafi's government has been holding crisis talks over the supply of fuel to the country.In Tripoli, Col Gaddafi's government has been holding crisis talks over the supply of fuel to the country.
After the meeting Prime Minister al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi signalled the end of Italy's 30bn-euro (£26bn) investment in the country and called on new partners to join them in the exploration and refining of crude oil.
In the capital, the queues at the petrol pumps now stretch over a mile. It is being reported that a key pipeline to the city has been cut by the rebels.