LIBYAN OPPONENTS of Col Muammar Gadafy yesterday promised to hold free elections, guarantee greater rights for women and to keep the country united and independent once he is forced from power.
Members of the self-appointed Libyan National Council were yesterday given a high profile on the margins of a hurriedly called conference in London, including meetings with British prime minister David Cameron and foreign secretary William Hague.
So far the British have not, as the French have done, recognised the group as Libya’s legitimate power, though both Mr Hague and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said they were “reaching out” to learn more about them.
In an effort to encourage international recognition, the Libyan National Council issued a two-page “Vision for a Democratic Libya” that would, if implemented, allow freedom of expression, the creation of political parties and trade unions. “We have learnt from the struggles of our past during the dark days of dictatorship that there is no alternative to building a free and democratic society and ensuring the supremacy of international humanitarian law and human rights declarations,” it said.
The country’s oil wealth would be used for the betterment of all Libyans, while the development of science and technology – unlike in some Arab countries – would be encouraged to create “an innovative culture, enhancing the spirit of creativity”. A new constitution would respect “the sanctity of religious doctrine”, though lead representative Mahmoud Jabril appeared to indicate this did not mean freedom of worship since “all Libyans are Muslims”.
Everything would be done to “guarantee the rights and empowerment of women in all legal, political, economic and cultural spheres”, while individual rights for all “in a way that guarantees social freedoms” would be protected.
Welcoming the Libyan National Council representatives, Mr Hague said it was “an important and legitimate political interlocutor”, though he later added that the governance of Libya, if Col Gadafy quit power, would be a matter for the Libyan people.
The US has appointed former diplomat Chris Stevens as an envoy to the Libyan National Council. Paying tribute to Mr Cameron for “the great leadership” he has shown, Mrs Clinton said the international community has “spoken with one voice” against the attacks on Libyan civilians.
