Libya's interim gov't gains wider support

This week has witnessed several landmark events for Libya's interim government: several heads of states paid their first visits to the country to show their support for the National Transitional Council (NTC), and on Friday the UN assembly recognized the NTC as the legitimate holder of Libya's UN seat. The UN General Assembly voted to let NTC representatives take over Libya's UN mission despite opposition from some Latin American and African countries, which did not want the seat to be occupied by a "faction or illegitimate transitory authority imposed by foreign intervention." The 193-member assembly approved the request with 114 votes in favor, 17 against and 15 abstentions. As of now, some 90 countries including a number of African countries,have recognized the NTC, but the African Union (AU) has so far refused to do so and sticks to its "roadmap" for Libya, which calls for an inclusive government in the country. A representative from Equatorial Guinea, who is currently acting president of the AU, told the general assembly that the AU has always supported the rights of the Libyan people and has never said that it is not going to recognize the NTC. "But it has requested that a government be formed, after which they would have their seat in the African Union and then we would support and recognize it. This has not been the case thus far," said the diplomat. Later on Friday, the UN Security Council lifted sanctions against Libya's assets and arms, and set up a UN mission to help restore public security and initiate economic recovery in the North African country.