LONDON — Britain has officially recognized Libya’s rebel opposition as the country’s sole government authority and expelled all of the remaining Libyan diplomats loyal to Moammar Gadhafi, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday.
The decision reflects the Transitional National Council’s “increasing legitimacy, competence and success in reaching out to Libyans across the country,” Hague said.
Speaking in London, Hague said Britain would deal with the rebel council “on the same basis as other governments around the world” and has invited it to send an envoy to take over the Libyan Embassy in London. He also said it would unfreeze millions in frozen rebel assets.
The moves appeared intended to ratchet up pressure on Gadhafi’s regime, which has been locked in a five-month-long battle with rebels and a NATO-led coalition.
The Washington Post
