Libya Could Ask NATO To End Mission By Next Week

The new government of Libya might ask the UN Security Council to put an end to NATO’s enforcement of a no fly zone as early as next week, says Libyan ambassador to the United Nations Ibrahim Dabbashi.

Dabbashi told the UN Security Council today that while the National Transitional Council continues to evaluate Libya’s security situation, he expects the new government to make a formal announcement regarding NATO’s mission before the end of the month.

“The Libyan people is looking forward to termination of the no fly zone over Libya as well as terminating the mandate accorded by Security Council resolution 1973 to protect civilians as soon as possible. In accordance with the initial assessments, October 31 is a logical date to terminate this mandate.” he said.

One of the first Libyan diplomats to denounce the Gaddafi regime crackdown against protests earlier this year, Dabbashi was instrumental in getting the Security Council to back military action in Libya.
Today, the Libyan Ambassador thanked Council members for their “indispensable” support in enforcing the no fly zone and protecting civilians, but said that now that the NTC has declared “liberation”, prolonging NATO’s mission would undermine Libyan sovereignty.

“Our people by nature hate any interference in its sovereignty.” he told the Council. “Everyday that passes with the foreign sovereignty over our space is a derogation of our sovereignty. This is particularly so after the declaration of liberation made on the 23rd of this month.”

The NTC declaration of liberation is meant to mark the beginning of  Libya’s political transition and Dabbashi says he expects an interim government would be set up in the next two weeks.

The Libyan Ambassador also said there would be a transparent investigation of the circumstances surrounding Gaddafi’s death and any other possible human rights abuse allegations against rebel forces.

Last week, UN human rights officials said there should be an investigation into the Libyan strongman’s death after several video’s showed him being captured alive by rebel fighters.

Dabbashi said that initial reports confirmed Gaddafi had died from wounds sustained in a firefight between regime loyalists and rebels, and had not been shot after being detained by NTC forces.