Nigeria pledges support for Libyan transitional government

Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Nigerian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister

Nigeria pledges support for Libyan transitional government

The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to support the democratic forces in Libya.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The minister urged the Libyan Transitional National Council to establish a credible democratic transition to civil rule and an all-inclusive and broad-based administration.

Earlier, in a statement made available to reporters, the ministry had promised that Nigeria would work with the democratic forces in Libya during the transition process.

“The Federal Government urges the new leaders in Libya to ensure magnanimity in victory in order to build the foundation of a new and democratic order in the country,'' the statement said.

Regret over the loss of lives

While acknowledging the Libyan Transitional Council, the statement expressed regret over the loss of lives and hardship that the struggle had caused the people.

It lauded the fact that Libyans were anxious and determined to take their destiny in their own hands.

No victor, no vanquished

She also charged the leaders to pursue a policy of “no victor, no vanquished” in the post-conflict reconciliation.

Onwuliri stressed the need to prevent further loss of lives in the North African country, and urged Muammar Gaddafi to take the path of honour by relinquishing power immediately.

Humanitarian protection

She said that the AU and UN had engaged in various processes at providing a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

“Indeed, Nigeria as a member of the UN Security Council, supports the 1973 Resolution aimed at providing humanitarian protection to the innocent Libyans,'' she added.

Hundreds of thousands of aggrieved protesters had in February took to the streets in Libya, demanding an end to Gaddafi’s regime.

The protest was fuelled by similar uprising in some North African countries in which Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak, the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt respectively, were removed.

More than 33 nations have recognised the Transitional Council in Libya since the beginning of the crisis.

NAN/Shakira