Visit to Libya gives rebels strong support

Visit to Libya gives rebels strong support-UK Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave Libya's new rulers strong support during a landmark visit to Tripoli yesterday, vowing to release billions of dollars in frozen assets and to push ahead with NATO strikes against Moammar Gadhafi's last strongholds.

Cameron told the fugitive Libyan dictator and his backers: "It is over. Give up."

The two were the first world leaders to travel to Tripoli since revolutionary forces, backed by NATO airstrikes, swept into the capital and forced Gadhafi into hiding. The visit was intended to give a significant boost to the National Transitional Council, the body of former rebels widely recognized as the new government, although it faces a struggle establishing its authority.

At a press conference alongside NTC chairman Mustafa Abdul-Jalil and its prime minister Mahmoud Jibril, Cameron and Sarkozy expressed their backing for the council.



Cameron said he would push for the release to the NTC of billions of dollars in Libyan assets frozen as a sanction against Gadhafi's regime.

To that end, he announced the UK would introduce a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council today authorizing the release of all Libyan assets.

Cameron also pledged the NATO mission would continue as Gadhafi loyalists continued to battle revolutionary forces on three fronts in central and southern Libya.

He said: "There are still parts of Libya under Gadhafi's control, Gadhafi is still at large, and we must make sure this work is completed."

He added: "The message to Gadhafi and all those holding arms on his behalf is: 'It is over. Give up. The mercenaries should go home.' It is time for him to give himself up and time for Libyan people to see him face justice."

Sarkozy said Gadhafi and others who "committed crimes" will be brought to justice but urged Libyans to avoid "vengeance" and seek unity and reconciliation.

The NTC and an executive committee it created are made up largely of technocrats - some of whom were once would-be reformers in Gadhafi's regime who grew disillusioned - and representatives from town and cities around the country.

The council not only faces the task of winning control over the last Gadhafi strongholds, it must also rein in the numerous armed groups and factions that have fought under the rebel umbrella.

The flow of more of the frozen funds from abroad could prove a helping hand.

A Cameron spokeswoman said a new Security Council resolution authorizing the release of frozen Libyan assets has the support of all five permanent members.