The Decision To Support Libyan Rebels Was Not Hasty - FG

Written by Christian Okeke, Abuja THE Federal Government, on Tuesday, said there was nothing hasty about its decision to recognise the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya and noted that before taking the position on the Libyan crisis, Nigeria was patient and hoped that the superior logic of dialogue would prevail. This revelation came just as government denied reports that Nigerians were killed in the war- torn country, insisting that no Nigerian was harassed or killed in Libya. Making the disclosure in Abuja during a media briefing to mark President Goodluck Jonathan’s 100 days in office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, noted that Nigerians were being protected in Libya as a result of the recognition accorded the NTC which he described as, “the group we felt was gaining ground.” He maintained that if Nigeria had not taken the stand, there would have been more bloodshed and the victims would have blamed the country. The minister stated that the Federal Government put a phone call across to the NTC that no harm should come to any Nigerian or any black in Libya. He said, “Nigeria took the principled decision to recognise the NTC as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people on August 23, 2011. Our over-riding interest in the situation in Libya are threefold. One, to achieve an early end to the conflict, thereby preventing further loss of innocent lives, regardless of who the culprits are. Two, to support processes which would allow the Libyan people decide the future of their country. This is consistent with our new foreign policy focus to support the consolidation of democracy in Africa. “In taking the position we took on the Libyan crisis, Nigeria was patient, always hoping that the superior logic of dialogue would prevail. For instance, our support for the AU Road Map was premised on the expectation that the protagonists would see the wisdom in embracing dialogue rather that a recourse to military solution. “The AU Road Map failed because of lack of faith on the part of the belligerents. In the circumstance, Nigeria had to act to reaffirm its leadership and also to continue to demonstrate our country’s commitment to the consolidation of democracy in Africa, a value which is central to our country’s new foreign policy focus,” he added.