Clinton Meets Libyan Opposition

U.S. Envoy to Visit Libya; Clinton Meets Libyan Opposition

By Nicole Gaouette

The U.S. will send its special envoy for Libya to Benghazi within the next week for talks with rebel opposition leaders, an administration official said.

The announcement came as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Libyan opposition leader Mahmoud Jebril before a London conference today to discuss political and military progress in Libya.

The meeting, attended by more than 30 foreign ministers, comes as the U.S.-led coalition hands over command of military operations to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron proposed creation of a steering group to work on all aspects of Libya’s political transition in remarks before the gathered ministers.

The London meeting takes place as the battle over Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s hometown of Sirte intensified, with government troops digging in as rebels extended their offensive along the coast.

Clinton told allied foreign ministers that the coalition against Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi is “at a turning point” as NATO takes command of air strikes.

Clinton said the allies must deliver needed humanitarian assistance, pressure Qaddafi’s regime with international sanctions, and support moves toward democratic government in the North African nation.

‘Unified Front’

“All of us must continue to increase the pressure on and deepen the isolation of the Qaddafi regime,” Clinton said. “This includes a unified front of political and diplomatic pressure that makes clear to Qaddafi that he must go.”

She laid out three goals for the countries gathered in the British capital. They must work together on “delivering desperately needed humanitarian assistance; pressuring and isolating the Qaddafi regime through robust sanctions and other measures, and supporting efforts by Libyans to achieve their aspirations through political change,” Clinton said.

Military measures will not stop until Qaddafi fully complies with UN Resolution 1973, “ceases his attacks on civilians; pulls his troops back from places they have forcibly entered; and allows key services and humanitarian assistance to reach all the people of Libya,” Clinton said.

Clinton also called on those gathered to “deepen the isolation of the Qaddafi regime” through non-military measures, including the enforcement of UN sanctions against Libya.

Determining Libya’s Destiny

“We cannot and must not impose our will on the people of Libya, but we can and must stand with them as they determine their own destiny,” the top U.S. diplomat said. “All of us seated around this table must speak with one voice in support of a transition that leads to a brighter future for Libya.”

Clinton met with the Libyan opposition’s special envoy Jebril to build on their previous meeting in Paris two weeks ago, an administration official said . The official spoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. hasn’t formally recognized Jebril’s National Transition Council.

The U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Gene Cretz, has praised the group’s efforts to be broadly representative of Libya. “They’re off to a good start,” he said March 25.

So far France and Qatar have formally recognized the rebels.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon announced that the organization’s envoy for Libya, former Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdel Ilah Al-Khatib, will travel to Benghazi. Al- Khatib will look at the political process that will affect transition to a more democratic system.

Frozen Assets

The steering group proposed by the British would enforce all non-military aspects of UN Resolution 1973, including the distribution of humanitarian aid and the enforcement of sanctions. The U.S. has frozen $33 billion in Libyan assets.

Turkey and the European Union will take on a large role in the humanitarian effort to help Libya, which will be a central focus of today’s meeting, the official said.

Libya’s opposition estimates that as many as 12,000 people have died in the fighting to date.