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Hague holds talks in Benghazi

05 June 2011 01:15 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. William Hague, the foreign secretary, has held talks in Benghazi with the Libyan National Transitional Council, in a show of support as the UK and France deployed attack helicopters against Mumer Gaddafiâ€™s forces for the first time, APA reports quoting ft.com website.

The Foreign Office said the meetings on Saturday focused on progress against Colonel Gaddafi and humanitarian assistance, as well as looking ahead to the development of the country.

â€œWe are here today for one principal reason, to show our support for the Libyan people and for the National Transitional Council, the legitimate representative of the Libyan people,â€ Mr Hague said.

Andrew Mitchell, the secretary of state for international development, who was also in Benghazi, announced fresh support to help with the clearance of mines in Misrata, Benghazi and other affected areas.

The UKâ€™s office in Benghazi is now the largest in north Africa after Cairo.

The foreign secretaryâ€™s visit came as British and French helicopters were deployed for the first time, hitting targets in the oil port of Brega as Nato forces stepped up their air war against Col Gaddafi.

â€œAs long as Gaddafi continues to abuse his people, we will continue and intensify our efforts to stop him from doing so,â€ Mr Hague said.

China made its first confirmed contact with Libyan rebels this week following a spate of defections by high profile figures including senior oil official and former prime minister Shokri Ghanem.

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