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Libyan rebel leader talks country’s future with Sarkozy

24 August 2011 22:30 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The contact group meeting due on Sept. 1 is very important and the transition authority of Libya needs more aid, both in terms of security and economy, Libyan rebel leader Mahmoud Jibril said Wednesday besides French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a joint press conference in the Elysee Palace, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"We are here today for two reasons, first of all, to reassert our conviction, our fight for Libya people is not over ... the forces of Gaddafi regime continue to mar a number of towns in the south of Libya and also because pockets of resistance ... we are going to develop a civil society which will include all Libyans who want to rebuild their country for generations," Jibril said.

"We are here to ask you for aid, for help our country," the representative of Libyan rebels in addition said To Sarkozy.

Noting the upcoming meeting of the contact group over Libya, Jibril laid out various challenges facing the transition authority, including opening schools on time in September and medical support to the injured involved in the civil war.

The next "key form of support and aid" they need is the thaw of Libyan assets that frozen as sanctions against Gaddafi regime, Jibril added.

Without specific promise to meet the rebel leader’s request, Sarkozy reiterated France’s support to Libyan rebels fight against Gaddafi regime.

The upcoming Libya meeting in Paris is "to help Libya build the future," Sarkozy said, adding the meeting will be steered by "Libyan friends."

"Military operations will cease when they are not necessary, when Mr. Gaddafi and his supporters will not longer remain a threat to Libyan people,"the French president said.

Sarkozy also announced that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would attend the contact group meeting.