Ethiopia and Nigeria on recognized Libya's National Transition Council (NTC)

Addis Ababa, Thursday, 25 August 2011 – Ethiopia and Nigeria on Wednesday recognized Libya's National Transition Council (NTC) as the country's legitimate authority. “In the interest of peace and stability, and wellbeing of the people of Libya, the governments of Ethiopia and Nigeria have decided to jointly recognize the NTC as the interim and legitimate authority in Libya,” a statement issued here on yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn and Nigerian Foreign Minister Olubenga Ashiru noted. “Ethiopia and Nigeria are on the side of the NTC at this important juncture of the history of Libya,” they said.
“We stand ready to extend to them the support necessary to facilitate the achievement of the difficult tasks of establishing an inclusive transitional government, reconstruction, national reconciliation, and peace building in order to meet the yearnings and legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people for human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance.”
The two ministers also called upon all peace loving countries in general and African countries and the African Union, in particular to contribute to peace and stability in Libya by recognizing the authority and legitimacy of the NTC.
“To ensure the realization of the lofty objective, we urge the African Union and its members to be consistent by extending to the NTC the type of support and recognition that was extended to Tunisia and Egypt,” they said.(waltainfo)