France First to Formally Recognize Libyan Opposition
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, shakes hands with Mahmoud Jibril, right, and Ali Al-Esawi, representatives of the newly formed council based in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, after a meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, March 10, 2011
France has formally recognized the Libyan opposition＇s Interim Governing Council as the "legitimate" representative of the Libyan people – the first country to do so.
France said Thursday it plans to exchange ambassadors with the council, based in the eastern city of Benghazi. Rebels have taken control of most of the eastern half of Libya in a deadly uprising against the country＇s leader, Moammar Gadhafi.
The French announcement comes as NATO members began two days of talks on Libya to discuss the possibility of imposing a no-fly zone to stop air attacks by pro-Gadhafi forces. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is attending the talks in Brussels.
Western officials have expressed concern that a no-fly zone over Libya would have a limited impact on stopping the violence. But NATO diplomats say there is strong support for such a move if the Libyan government escalates attacks on civilians.
While countries such as Britain and France have urged NATO allies to consider a no-fly zone, the U.S., Germany and other nations have expressed concern about the consequences.
Prior to the talks, NATO announced it has started round-the-clock surveillance of the air space over Libya. An alliance official said the first AWACS plane went on patrol early Thursday.
European Union foreign ministers are also meeting in Brussels to discuss Libya, and separate talks among EU leaders are scheduled for Friday.
Despite building pressure from European leaders, the Libyan government sent envoys to dissuade any military steps against the North African nation.
Libya＇s deputy foreign minister Mohamed Tahir Siala met Thursday with two Greek Foreign Ministry officials ahead of the EU meeting. He held similar talks in Lisbon on Wednesday with Portugal＇s Foreign Minister Luis Amado.
Meanwhile, Germany ordered a freeze on all bank accounts held by the Libyan central bank and the Libyan Investment Authority. Also Thursday, Russia announced it will ban all weapons sales to Libya.
Britain and France are drafting a United Nations resolution authorizing a no-fly zone.
Top advisers to U.S. President Barack Obama met Wednesday to assess the situation in Libya and consider remaining options, including that of working with international partners to impose a no-fly zone.
Gadhafi has said Libyans would take up arms against Western nations if they imposed such a zone.
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