Rwanda urges AU to back Libya’s NTC

Rwanda yesterday urged the African Union to back Libya’s National Transitional Council in establishing an all-inclusive government. The call was made by Prime Minister Bernard Makuza while addressing the ad hoc African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council of Heads of State and Governments discussing Libya, yesterday. In his statement, Prime Minister Makuza reiterated Rwanda’s unequivocal support to Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) and called for the establishment of an inclusive and democratic government in Libya. He also expressed Rwanda’s wish to see the African Union play a much more important role towards a democratic and peaceful Libya. “This Summit has been held at a pivotal moment when Col Gaddafi’s regime is retreating and has reached a point of no return. We should therefore give value and consider the Libyan people’s aspirations led by the NTC,” Makuza said. “The Peace and Security Council should catch up with the reality on the ground and recognize the NTC as it pursues the freedom and democratic future of Libyan people, and one important contribution by the African Union would be to help in the establishment of a real inclusive transition government by working with the NTC.” The summit concluded with a pledge to work with the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and NATO, as well as other stakeholders, to ensure coordinated support to the Libyan People. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo and Ambassador Joseph Nsengimana, Rwanda’s envoy to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU. Ends