SVG will wait to recognize new Libyan Rebel Council, says PM Gonsalves

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) will not yet recognize the new Rebel Council in Libya.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsavles told reporters last Friday that “the position of the recognition or non-recognition of a government is a matter which always requires careful thought.”

When asked about the implications that decision may have on the country, because of ties to nations such as Britain and France, which have chosen to recognize the new rulers, Dr. Gonsalves said that the position of the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is very simple.

“Let’s just wait and see,” he added.

“The situation is still in a state of flux and will resolve itself completely, sooner or later. Let’s understand this; St. Vincent and the Grenadines has diplomatic relations with the state of Libya,” the PM further stated.

According to Dr. Gonsalves, there are more countries in the world at this moment who have not recognized the new Rebel Council.

“The other thing is that CARICOM, of which we are members, have not made a statement that it is recognizing the Rebel Council, so it’s a wait and see operation,” he said.

Regarding diplomacy, “this is not something that you rush into…” stated the PM.

“We are not holding a strident position in relation to the current rebel group, which is in the ascendancy in Tripoli; let me make that abundantly clear.

“If in fact they become the established government and they are there with their solidity, we will then say at that point, you are recognizing a practical situation.”

The Prime Minister reminded the media of how the rebels got into power and described it as “a curious one.”

SVG is a part of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (Spanish: Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América, or ALBA), of which seven other countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela, are a part.

According to reports, none of the other members of ALBA have yet recognized the Rebel Council, whose Chairman is Mustafa Mohammed Abdul Jalil.

“It’s not an issue because we had relations with the Libya when the previous government was in charge that we have taken this position…

“We want to be part of a CARICOM-wide decision. Now, we are members of ALBA, but we are also members of CARICOM, and sometimes the position may not be squared, but we would never wish to abandon a CARICOM consensus,” Dr. Gonsalves said in conclusion.

Meanwhile, the fight for Libya continues as anti-Gaddafi forces have captured two key positions close to the southern city of Sabha according to BBC reports.

The city’s airport and castle had been liberated, said National Transitional Council military spokesman Ahmed Bani.

Within two days, the city which is one of the remaining strongholds of Gaddafi loyalists would be taken, he said.

But pro-Gaddafi fighters are mounting fierce resistance in Bani Walid and Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s birthplace, Sirte.

“Our forces are there in the airport and in the castle,” Col. Bani told a Tripoli news conference. “Our flags are flying there.”

Libya’s leader for four decades, Col. Gaddafi has been in hiding since opposition forces captured the capital Tripoli late last month. His whereabouts remain unknown.(AA)