VIENNA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Libya's opposition leader said here on Thursday that the anti-Gaddafi camp need urgent and large amount of foreign aid, in order to overcome financial difficulties.
Mahmoud Jebril, Chairman of the Executive Board of Libya's opposition National Transition Concil(NTC), made the plea at a press conference after holding talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.
The NTC is in a very difficult financial situation, said Jebril, calling for the international community to provide help by allowing the NTC to use overseas deposit funds belonging to the Libyan government.
"The NTC need money for food, medicine and education, as well as for restoration and construction of infrastructures. But we have no money," he said.
Jebril further explained that Libya's oil production facilities have been severely damaged in the conflict. As a result, the NTC could not get funds from crude oils sales.
He also defended the rebel's acquisition of weapons from other countries as an act of forced self-defense.
At the press conference, Spindelegger said Austria will explore the possibility of unfreezing Libya's overseas assets in his country.
He also announced that his government will soon deliver 20 tons of material aid to Libya, including food, medicine and water purification chemicals.
Meanwhile, some Austrian enterprises have shown interest in rebuilding Libya, he added.
Since the fighting against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi broke out in mid-February, the rebels have been lobbying the international community for support.
The NTC has so far been recognized as Libya's official representative by 17 countries, including France, Italy, Britain, Germany and Austria.
No comments:
Post a Comment