Brussels, 14/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy threw his political weight behind rebels in Libya on Thursday 14 July, backing their vision for the future of their conflict-torn North African country. “We are committed to the development of a new, democratic, unified and prosperous country. The TNC (Transitional National Council) has a key role to play”, he said, after talks in Brussels with a delegation led by rebel diplomat Mahmoud Jibril. Van Rompuy said that he and Jibril had discussed developments on the ground in Libya, the role and mission of the TNC, the chances of a political solution and the post conflict phase, once Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has left power. His endorsement comes a day after NATO also backed the TNC and urged its leaders to quickly find a political solution to the conflict. NATO has been policing a no-fly-zone and arms embargo and trying to stop Gaddafi's forces striking at civilians, but alliance unity is suffering over the mission, which began in late March.
The EU has been increasingly focused on the political track in Libya, with Gaddafi and his associates increasingly entrenched, and the rebels still in disarray as a fighting force. EU foreign ministers are due to discuss Libya during talks in Brussels on Monday 18 July, with the discussions focusing notably on the post-Gaddafi era. A senior EU official said that the TNC has assured the Europeans that Libya will be more stable than they think when Gaddafi goes. “Once he departs, there will be great manifestations of joy”, the official said that EU representatives were told. TNC delegates have also told officials in Brussels that they do not want any foreign troops on Libyan soil in the new era, the senior official said. (LoC)