Paris: France has begun work to reopen its
embassy in Tripoli, the foreign ministry said on Friday, in
another sign of support for the rebel government in waiting
that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.
"The process of reopening the French embassy in Tripoli
has begun. This opening should take place quickly," spokesman
Bernard Valero told reporters.
A diplomatic source said Antoine Sivan, an Arab-speaking
diplomat already in Libya as Paris' liaison with the rebel
National Transitional Council (NTC) in Benghazi, would be the
first ambassador to the new regime.
The NTC is moving its government to the capital despite
ongoing clashes between its fighters and pro-Gaddafi
hold-outs, and has urged the international community to
support its fledgling administration.
France was the first power to recognise the NTC as
Libya's government and President Nicolas Sarkozy has mobilised
international military and diplomatic support for the
revolution against the 42-year-old regime.
Paris closed its embassy in Tripoli on February 26 and
evacuated its staff amid fears that they would not be safe in
a city then under the control of pro-Gaddafi forces.
PTI
First Published: Friday, August 26, 2011, 21:47