Transitional National Council (TNC) 'May 2011'
8/25/2011
US says Istanbul meeting to support Libyan people "at this historic time"
Washington, The United States said on Thursday that the Istanbul meeting is convened to support the Libyan people and the Transitional National Council (TNC) "at this historic time." "Today's meeting was characterized by an upbeat spirit and recognition of what our combined efforts have helped to achieve. Meeting participants recognized the considerable work that lies ahead, but reaffirmed the international community's resolve to enhanced coordination during this transitional period," said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland in a statement.
"Delegations underscored the urgent financial needs of the TNC and called for an expedited process to unfreeze Libyan assets," she added while affirming that the Istanbul meeting was "to demonstrate the international community's firm commitment to supporting the Libyan people at this truly historic time." Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns led the US delegation to the August 25 Libya Contact Group meeting in Istanbul, where representatives from 28 countries, the United Nations, European Union, NATO, African Union, Arab League and Gulf Cooperation Council came together to support the transition in Libya.
"Arab participants also previewed the Arab League's seating of the TNC expected at the August 27 Arab League gathering. Participants, including the TNC delegation, emphasized the need for reconciliation, respect for human rights, and justice, not retribution," noted Nuland.
"There was also a collective affirmation of the need for Libya's transition to be Libyan-led, with close coordination between the TNC and international partners. Participants looked forward to the high-level meeting in Paris next week," she added.
Libyan rebels, who now control over 90 percent of the capital Tripoli, are still fighting with pockets of resistance while Colonel Muammar Qaddafi is still not found at a time where Libya and the international community started planning the transition period.
On the margins of the Contact Group meeting, Burns also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu and Undersecretary Feridun Sinirioglu.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2187002&Language=en
