Russia not to recognize Libyan rebels
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Xinhua, July 18, 2011
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that his country refused to recognize the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libya's legitimate government.
According to the Russia's top diplomat, Moscow was still ready to deal with the Benghazi-based council as a side for negotiations to determine Libya's future, but will not share the recognition on the Libyan rebels.
"If it comes to recognition of the NTC and other opposition groups as a side in the talks, then unconditionally the NTC is such a side. However, if it refers to recognition of the NTC as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, as the so-called Contact Group stated in Istanbul, we don't share that position," Lavrov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.
The Russian foreign minister stressed that the Contact Group's Istanbul declaration has taken one party's side in the Libyan civil war. He accused the 30-member Contact Group of attempting to isolate official Tripoli.
"Russia traditionally rejects isolation as a way to resolve any problem in any conflict," Lavrov noted.
He reminded that Moscow has been in contact with both Tripoli and Benghazi, urging them to take constructive position and responsibility for their nation. Lavrov said the base for the inter-Libyan talks must be the proposals tabled by the African Union and the UN.
Lavrov added that Moscow would not invite or give political asylum to Muammar Gaddafi, Interfax reported.
Last Friday, the meeting of the Libya Contact Group in Istanbul has recognized the oppositional National Transitional Council as the sole and legitimate representative of the country's people until the creation of a new interim authority.
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