NIGERIA has formally joined scores of other nations to recognise the National Transitional Council (NTC) of the crisis-torn Libya as the legitimate representative of the people, urging Muammar Gaddafi to take the path of honour and relinquish power.
The development came as the rebel fighters of the NTC reportedly captured the Bab al-Aziziya compound housing the Libya's embattled ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
However, according to British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Libyan rebels have taken over Col Muammar Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli, one of the final areas under the Libyan leader's control.
Heavily armed fighters had earlier streamed into the capital in dozens of pick-up trucks to attack the compound.
Briefing correspondents yesterday on Nigeria's stand on the battle for the soul of Libya between rebel fighters and soldiers loyal to Gaddafi, the Minister of State 1 Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri stated: "It is my honour and privilege this morning to inform you that the Federal Government has formally recognised the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya as a legitimate representative of the Libyan people."
According to the minister, Nigeria could no longer watch the deteriorating situation in Libya without taking a firm stand. Rebels have been fighting to wrestle the control of the oil-rich Libya from the hands of 69-year old Gaddafi who has ruled the country for 42 years.
Flanked by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, the minister also maintained that the Nigerian embassy in Tripoli remains closed until such a time when normalcy would have been restored.
Onwuliri said: "In the last 48 hours, the situation in the country has moved inexorably closer to its denouement. The Federal Government is understandably anxious to prevent further loss of lives in Libya and therefore urges Muammar Gaddafi to take the path of honour and relinquish power immediately and allow the people of Libya to decide the future of their country.
"Now that the NTC is on the verge of taking full control of the affairs of Libya, the Federal Government urges the new leaders to be magnanimous in victory and to pursue a policy of 'no victor, no vanquished' a uniquely Nigerian model for post-conflict reconciliation and nation-building."
According to the minister, "when the dust finally settles, the Federal Government hopes the new leaders in Libya would also establish an all-inclusive and broad-based administration whose urgent task should be to establish a credible democratic transition to civil rule as soon as possible."
Asked why Nigeria was only just taking the stand when it seemed that the last of Gaddafi's fortress was crumbling, Onwuliri said "Nigeria, through the African Union (AU) and the United Nations, has been engaged with various processes seeking a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Indeed, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, Nigeria supported UN Security Council Resolution 1973 aimed at providing humanitarian protection to the innocent Libyans."
The minister, who noted that Nigeria's stand on the Libya's conflict that started in February is in tandem with its foreign policy of consensus, said the country will play role in post-war rebuilding efforts in the oil rich north African country. "Nigeria will play a key role in rebuilding Libya. Yes, the Nigerian embassy in the country remains closed. We are concerned with the loss of lives, being a sensible member of the international community." she said.
The Acting Director General of Nigeria Institute of international Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, while reacting to new development in Libya and the Federal Government's recognition of the TNC, said the Foreign Affairs Minister had on Monday stated that the government would always support the Libyan people.
Akinterinwa added that the people of Libya consist of those supporting Gaddafi and those against him. He said it is therefore reasonable that those against him have won with the victory of the rebels in most parts of Libya and the capital, Tripoli.
He said it was consistent that the Nigerian government supports and would continue to support good governance, rule of law and respects for human rights of the people in all parts of the world, including Libya, as asserted by the minister.
He said Nigeria is therefore the chief advocate of good governance and would never support incumbency in any other guise.
He said it is a lesson for dictators all over the world and Africa to refrain from dictatorship and not to wait until their people kicked them out.
But, according to agency reports, what appeared to be a climatic showdown between rebel and government forces in Libya a day earlier dissolved into confusion and uncertainty about whether Gaddafi's regime would fall anytime soon.
The seesaw war in Libya took a bizarre turn on Monday as two purported rebel accomplishments came unhinged. On Monday, rebel leaders claimed they had captured three of Gaddafi's sons, including Saif al-Islam – who is wanted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court and has been considered his father's heir apparent.
Yesterday, Saif al-Islam, who was reportedly arrested along with two of his brothers by rebel fighters showed up at the Rixos Hotel, one of the remaining strongholds of pro-Gaddafi forces.
In a brief interview with Cable News Network (CNN), he said his father and several of his sisters were safe in Tripoli, and that loyal troops had "broken the back" of the rebels who moved into the capital over the weekend.
Another Gaddafi's son, Mohammed Gaddafi, reportedly escaped from rebel custody, the Libyan ambassador to the United States (U.S.) said.
However, it was unclear yesterday whether Saadi Gaddafi – the third son the rebels claimed to have captured – was in their custody.
There was no immediate response yesterday from the NTC, the rebel leadership.
The British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, however, said yesterday that Gaddafi's downfall is imminent.
"As for the appearance of Saif Gaddafi overnight in Tripoli, let me be clear — this is not the sign of some great comeback by the (Gaddafi) regime," Clegg said.
"He, and indeed the remaining pro-(Gaddafi) forces, are now cornered. They are making their last stand, and it is only a matter of time before they are finally defeated."
As fresh fighting erupted in Tripoli, those injured from clashes face a shortage of doctors, facilities and medical supplies. One clinic "has 40 beds, and all of the beds are taken," said Robin Waudo of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Tripoli.
"Some of the people have been treated or discharged and taken to other houses nearby in order to be treated."
The Guardian
l support the move by Nigeria. Gaddafi should take the path of honour and relinquish power to a fellow Libyan. 42 years is too much a time to rule a nation!