Bulgaria and Croatia Regard the National Transitional Council as a Legitimate Representative of the Libyan People
28 June 2011 News
Today, the minister of foreign affairs Nickolay Mladenov is in Benghazi for a one-day visit, where he is to meet the chairman, Mahmood Djibril, of the National Transitional Council of Lybia and the rest of the members of the Council. Nickolay Mladenov brought with him a little humanitarian aid to Benghazi – medicines and other medical supplies. Later, the delegation is to also meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations in Benghazi.
In lieu of this, the Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Nickolay Mladenov and Croatia, Gordan Jandrokovic, have issued the following joint statement:
“For more than three months the Libyan people have defended their right to freedom. Their legitimate demands have been met with violent attacks by the forces of Muammar Qaddafi. By brutally attacking his own people, Colonel Qaddafi has lost all legitimacy.
Bulgaria and Croatia, as NATO allies, fully backed and participated in the efforts of the international community to respond to the impending crisis. The international community responded to the calls for support by the people of Libya and the Arab League. In implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 NATO, with the participation of other countries, launched operations to protect the civilian population in Libya, to implement a no-fly zone and a naval blockade. The assets of the regime have been frozen, and arrest warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court for some of the top regime leadership.
Qaddafi’s era is over, and he must go immediately. Those accused of crimes against humanity will be held to account before judges in a criminal court.
The time has come for a real political process of national reconciliation and transition. The Libyan people who strive for freedom and democracy have demonstrated their will to be represented by a unified and inclusive national council.
Bulgaria and Croatia regards the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Libya as a legitimate representative of the Libyan people. Our support stems from the understanding that the NTC is able to lead the process of building a democratic and inclusive Libya, built on the rule of law and upholding the highest international human rights standards.
We welcome the 'Road to Democratic Libya' presented by the NTC and support its vision for a new Libya and stand ready to assist the NTC in developing its capacity to assume its responsibilities and uphold the rule of law.
We are confident that the Council will continue to work in close cooperation with the international community represented by the Contact Group for Libya to enhance regional stability.”