Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) spokesman Abdel Rahman Shalgham said Monday the Libyan opposition and Russia have an understanding regarding the recognition of the opposition government in Benghazi.
“We have a mutual understanding on the issue of recognizing the transitional government in Benghazi. The fact that I was received in Moscow by Russian Foreign Minister [Sergei Lavrov] speaks of the role and importance of the Council,” Shalgham told journalists after talks with Lavrov.
The Libya Transitional Council, consisting 30 individuals, was formed on February 27 and is based in the insurgents’ stronghold city of Benghazi. TNC has already been recognized by France, Italy and Qatar.
Shalgham also said the opposition would not hold any talks with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Responding to Lavrov’s comments about NATO’s possible plans to hold a ground military campaign in Libya, Shalgham said the opposition stood firmly against ground operations.
The revolt, which began in mid-February in Libya against Muammar Gaddafi’s forty-year rule, has already claimed thousands of lives, with Gaddafi’s troops maintaining their combat capabilities despite NATO airstrikes against them.
MOSCOW, May 23 (RIA Novosti)