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U.S. calls for unity of Libyan opposition

30 July 2011 00:22 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The United States on Friday called for unity of the Libyan opposition following the shooting death of its military leader Abdel Fattah Younes a day earlier, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"Whatâ€™s important is that they adhere to their pledges and commitment to unity and representation of all Libyan people," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at a regular news briefing.

He called the death of Abdel Fattah Younes, who was shot dead along with two other officers by assailants on Thursday after being summoned back from the battlefield, another challenge facing the opposition.

"Theyâ€™ve had now to overcome many challenges in their struggle and I think whatâ€™s important is that they work to both diligently and transparently to ensure the unity of the Libyan opposition," he said.

Younes was security minister of the Libyan government, but he joined the oppositionâ€™s National Transitional Council (NTC) and became its military leader in February. The opposition forces are trying to topple Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

"You know, such tragedies speak to the situation thatâ€™s been created by Gaddafi and his regime, the ongoing violence, the ongoing tensions, the ongoing situation thatâ€™s very chaotic," Toner said. "And it underscores why he needs to leave power and do so immediately."

The U.S. and other Western nations have recognized the NTC as the legitimate governing authority of Libya.