Italy recognises Libyan opposition
Italy yesterday recognised Libya's opposition interim national council as its sole interlocutor and promised sweeping economic reconstruction measures for rebel-held eastern Libya.
"Italy has decided to recognise the council," Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said after talks with council foreign affairs chief Ali al-Isawi.
Only France and Qatar have so far recognised the council based in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, which is fighting government forces.
"We talked about immediately sending experts to Benghazi, experts in many fields: energy, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure. These people are to be seconded to the council in Benghazi," Frattini said.
The Italian minister also dismissed overtures from embattled Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi as a regime envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Abdelati Laabidi, criss-crossed the Mediterranean in a bout of frantic diplomacy.
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