Italy has become the third nation to declare the Libyan rebel interim council as the only legitimate government in the North African country, dealing a blow to separate diplomatic efforts by Moammar Gadhafi’s government, as well as by two of his sons.
In Rome Monday, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Italy has decided to recognize the Transitional National Council as the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people. He said Italy plans to send an envoy to the eastern city of Benghazi – where the rebels’ government is based – within days.
Italy follows France and Qatar in recognizing the rebel council. Frattini welcomed rebel envoy Ali al-Essawi, who said an idea to replace Mr. Gadhafi with one of his sons is unacceptable.
The New York Times has reported that at least two of the Libyan leader’s sons have proposed Mr. Gadhafi relinquish power for a transition to constitutional democracy under the direction of his son, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi.
But government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim said Monday that while Libya is ready for a “political solution” with world powers, Mr. Gadhafi’s future is non-negotiable. He said Libya could have “elections, referendums, anything” – but that Mr. Gadhafi must lead any political transition.
State television showed the Libyan leader briefly waving to supporters Monday outside his compound in Tripoli. It was Mr. Gadhafi’s first public appearance in more than a week.
In Ankara, acting Libyan Foreign Minister Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi held talks with senior Turkish officials on brokering a cease-fire with opposition forces. Turkey said it expects to host representatives from the rebel national council in the next few days.
Meanwhile, Libyan rebels made tenuous gains Monday in the battle for a key oil town. Anti-Gadhafi fighters seized control of a largely residential area in the eastern city of Brega, where rival forces have been in a standoff for days.
But heavily armed loyalist troops later repulsed opposition attempts to advance from the New Brega section. Residents said the bulk of pro-Gadhafi forces were in strongly defended positions near the city’s oil infrastructure and other strategic points.
On the western front, troops loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi used tanks and snipers to keep the city of Misrata under siege. The International Committee of the Red Cross is appealing to combatants to allow it access to the country’s third largest city, where dozens of injuries and deaths are reported from fierce fighting.
No air power was visible over Libya on Monday. As part of the planned transition to NATO command, the U.S. military withdrew its warplanes from lead missions and took a support role. In Washington, a military spokesman said American fighter jets would now fly only when requested by NATO and approved by the Pentagon.
Also Monday, Britain announced it will provide anti-government rebels with telecommunications equipment. Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain was not arming the rebels but had responded to their requests for the shipments. He refused to disclose the exact nature of the equipment.
Hague added that an international group coordinating a political response for Libya will gather in the Qatari capital, Doha, next week.
