Libyan Interim PM welcomes Iranian FM's visit to Tripoli

Newly appointed Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Keib welcomed an upcoming visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi to his country, and called for the expansion of the bilateral relations between the two countries."We welcome the visit by any foreign official, including the Iranian foreign minister, to Libya," al-Keib told FNA on Wednesday, adding, "Naturally such trips will expand the bilateral ties (between Libya and other states)." Asked if Libya's relations with the US could deter Tripoli from developing ties with Iran, he said that any country has its special place and position and Libya's relations with the US and Europe could never prevent reinvigoration of ties with other countries. Asked about the date of NATO troops pullout from Libya, Al-Keib said, "We believe that we need their presence in Libya until the establishment of the new government and the disarmament of the militia." A large number of regional leaders have cautioned the Libyan nation and politicians against the western countries' plots to loot the North African state's wealth and resources. The western powers intend to loot Libya's wealth and resources, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned late October, and called on the Libyan people to keep vigilant and continue their resistance against the colonialist powers. "Under the current conditions, it seems that the Libyan people should begin a long-term battle with the colonialists since occupiers are dividing Libya's interests and wealth among themselves," Ahmadinejad said on Saturday. He said that the NATO forces deployed in Libya are behaving the Libyan people much more brutally than the country's former dictator, Muammar Qaddafi.