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US recognises Libyan rebel TNC as legitimate authority | |
(40 minutes later) | |
The United States has recognised the Libyan opposition as the country's "legitimate governing authority". | |
That means billions of dollars of Libyan assets frozen in US banks could be released to the rebels. | |
The decision was announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a diplomatic meeting in Istanbul. | |
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. | |
"The United States views the Gaddafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Mrs Clinton said. | |
"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." | |
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." | |
Other foreign ministers said the whole contact group, including more than 30 Western and Arab countries, agreed to recognise the rebels. | |
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 TNC's plans for progress to democracy. | |
Representatives of the Benghazi-based TNC were at the meeting, but invitations to China and Russia were both declined. | |
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. |