Libya's rebel leader urges Malta to 'widen support and cooperation'

The adviser to the leader of the Libyan transitional council Mustafa Mohammed Abdul Jalil has expressed “optimism” that Malta will widen its cooperation for the multinational force enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya.

Ahmed Jibril, a former ambassador for the Libyan government, spoke to MaltaToday yesterday in answer to questions put to Jalil regarding Malta’s position not to allow the island to serve as a military base in enforcing the no-fly zone.

“The council understands Malta’s position as a neutral state, and its acceptance to abide by the United Nations Security Council for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya,” Jibril said, speaking for Jalil in Benghazi.

“However the council is optimistic that Malta will widen its cooperation when it comes to paragraph 4 of the resolution that imposes an obligation on all states to fully cooperate in the protection of civilian lives.”

Paragraph 4 of the UNSC resolution authorises United Nations member states to “take all necessary measures” to protect civilians under threat of attack in Libya.

Asked if he meant that “widening the cooperation” means using Malta as a military base in enforcing the no-fly zone, Jibril said the council “fully understands Malta’s sensitive situation” but it would “appreciate a further effort by the Maltese government in assisting the multinational effort in imposing the no-fly zone over Libya.”

“The council is taking note of all the positions taken by countries and is giving them great importance in considering future relations,” Jibril said.

Asked about Jalil’s opinion of Malta’s long-standing relations with Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, Jibril recognised Malta’s full adherence to the Security Council resolutions. “I wouldn’t say they Malta is too close. But the Maltese government would be wise to keep away from Gaddafi just like the rest of the international community. Gaddafi is best isolated.”

Benghazi has already asked the Maltese government for formal recognition through a note verbale sent from defected Libyan ambassador to the Arab League in Cairo, which also explained that the council wants to honour all agreements and treaties signed by former Libyan governments. “We have asked for recognition, but so far we have heard nothing and had no contact from the government,” Jibril said.

Libyan Prime Minister Mohammed al-Baghdadi has telephoned Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at least twice last week, to request that the government monitors the ceasefire.

“I suggest that such calls are not taken at all,” Jibril told MaltaToday. “Because what the regime is trying to do is to alienate Western governments. There is no ceasefire anywhere,” he told MaltaToday at 3:57pm, while French fighter-planes were crossing into Libya. Earlier in the day, just 24 hours after Gaddafi’s foreign minister Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire, the Libyan government was bombarding Benghazi and Misurata from the outskirts of the cities.

“As I am speaking to you, five cities including here in Benghazi are under heaving bombing and Gaddafi’s troops are pushing forward and attacking our defences.

“My opinion is that it is best to keep away from Prime Minister Baghdadi who is part of the Gaddafi regime. He is the second in line after Gaddafi, and second on the EU, UN sanctions that speak of his involvement in crimes against humanity, that’s all I can say.”

In an appeal to the Maltese people, Jibril said the Libyans needed the island to support them in such a critical hour. “Stand by us. Malta and Libya enjoy close relations, we are both good people… we are being targeted and killed by a man who wants to hold on to his 42-year rule. It is time he responds to their aspirations for him to go.”