Beijing: Shedding its reservations, China
on Monday recognised rebels` National Transition Council (NTC) as
Libya`s government, days after revelations that erstwhile
Gaddafi regime tried to procure weapons from Beijing as late
as two months ago in violation of UN resolutions.
"China respects the choice of the Libyan people and
attaches great importance to the status and the role of NTC,
and has kept in close contact with it," Foreign Ministry
spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a written statement.
China will work with the NTC to realise a steady and
smooth transition and development of bilateral ties, state-run
Xinhua quoted Ma as saying.
Beijing hopes that all the treaties and agreements inked
previously with Libya could remain effective and be
implemented seriously, Ma said.
China has informed the NTC of its decision and the NTC
leadership said they are "delighted with the result that has
long been expected," Ma said.
The NTC attaches great importance to China`s status and
role, and will strictly abide by all the existing treaties and
agreements, firmly adhere to the one-China policy, Ma said,
quoting a representative of the NTC leadership.
"Libya welcomes China to engage in the country`s
reconstruction and jointly push forward the steady and
sustained development of bilateral ties," said the
representative who was not named in the statement.
The announcement came after the NTC controlled most part
of the North African nation following a six-month civil war.
It also came close on the heels of revelations that
Beijing kept close contact with Gaddafi regime till July, when
his representatives tried to procure arms from Chinese firms,
violating the UN Security Council resolutions.
PTI
