African Union recognizes Libya's NTC

Tue Sep 20, 2011

The African Union (AU) says that it has recognized Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) as the government of the North African country.

The AU said in a statement that it was ready to support the NTC in its efforts to build an inclusive government, Reuters reported.

"The African Union stands ready to support the Libyan people... as they rebuild their country towards a united, democratic, peaceful and prosperous Libya," the statement said.

Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who holds the African Union's rotating chair, made the announcement on Tuesday.

Most European countries, the US and Nigeria had recognized the NTC.

Meanwhile, Libya's NTC fighters are still fighting with troops loyal to fugitive ruler Muammar Gaddafi to capture their last strongholds, Sirte and Bani Walid.

The Libyan dictator is believed hiding in the country, although members of his family fled to Algeria and Niger after revolutionary forces overran the capital Tripoli last month.

In a new message broadcast on Tuesday, Gaddafi called his opponents' takeover of the country a charade.

"What is happening in Libya is a charade which will not last forever," he said in the message on Syrian-based satellite station al-Rai TV.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/200229.html.