US fully recognises Libyan rebels

15 July 2011 Last updated at 20:23 GMT The decision could open up a huge funding stream for the rebels The United States has recognised the Libyan opposition as the country's "legitimate governing authority".

The move means billions of dollars of Libyan assets frozen in US banks could be released to the rebels.

The decision was announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a diplomatic meeting in Istanbul.

Western and Arab members of the Libya Contact Group are drawing up a plan to end hostilities, which will be presented to Col Muammar Gaddafi.

"The United States views the Gaddafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Mrs Clinton said.

"And so I am announcing today that, until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognise the TNC [Transitional National Council] as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis."

Continue reading the main story Kim Ghattas BBC News, Washington

This move means the US and other countries will be able to unblock some $30bn in frozen assets to assist the Libyan opposition.

It's a financial boost for the TNC but also adds to their credibility.

Because the US only recognises states and not governments, the wording - calling the TNC the "legitimate governing authority" - was chosen carefully.

It may sound like semantics but the wording had legal implications. There were also concerns about recognising unelected representatives without a clear road map for a transition to democracy.

She added: "The TNC has offered important assurances today, including the promise to pursue a process of democratic reform that is inclusive both geographically and politically."

The TNC said it "expressed its gratitude and respect to the people of the United States", which it called "the protector and promoter of democracy and freedom across the world".

In Istanbul, other foreign ministers said the whole contact group - including more than 30 Western and Arab countries - agreed to recognise the rebels.

Many of them have already individually recognised the TNC.

Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the decision left Col Gaddafi "no other option" but to leave power.

However, Col Gaddafi swiftly rejected the move.

Addressing a televised rally in the town of Zlitan, he said: "Trample on those recognitions, trample them under your feet... They are worthless."

Entrenched in Tripoli

Mr Frattini said the UN special envoy to Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, would take the contact group's ceasefire proposals to the Libyan leadership, and negotiate on their behalf.

A statement released by the group said Col Gaddafi "must leave power according to defined steps to be publicly announced," and called for "the formation of an interim government to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition of power".

Reports that rebels have cut an oil pipeline have given leaders pause for thought

The meeting was also expected to explore measures to increase the pressure on the Libyan regime, such as constraining government broadcasting. It was also to look at a report on the TNC's plans for progress to democracy.

Representatives of the Benghazi-based TNC were at the meeting, but invitations to China and Russia were both declined.

The conflict in Libya appears to be in a protracted stalemate. Rebels are holding eastern Libya and pockets in the west.

Col Gaddafi remains entrenched in the capital Tripoli, despite a Nato bombing campaign of more than 6,000 sorties against regime forces.

International sanctions have also been imposed and international arrest warrants issued against leading figures in the Libyan regime.

In Tripoli, Col Gaddafi's government has been holding crisis talks over the supply of fuel to the country.

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Libyan rebels 'abused civilians'

13 July 2011 Last updated at 13:20 GMT Territory north of the Nafusa Mountains is currently an active sector of the front line The campaign group Human Rights Watch has accused rebels in Libya of looting, arson and the abuse of civilians.

Observers from the New York-based group say they have witnessed some incidents themselves, and have interviewed witnesses to others in territory recently seized by rebels.

A rebel spokesman talking to reporters in Brussels has denied the allegations.

Accusations of abuse by both sides have circulated since the rebellion against Col Muammar Gaddafi began in February.

The latest allegations focus on four towns seized by rebels in the west of the country in the last month: al-Awaniya, Rayayinah, Zawiyat al-Bagul and al-Qawalish.

"The rebel conduct was disturbing," said Fred Abrahams, a special adviser to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

"We documented fairly widespread looting of homes and shops, the burning of some homes of suspected Gaddafi supporters and - most disturbingly - the vandalisation of three medical clinics [and] local small hospitals, including the theft of some of the medical equipment."

He said the Libyan government had committed more serious crimes, but that did not excuse the behaviour of the rebels.

"Our aim is to hold all combatants, all militaries - whether they're organised and states and governments or rebels groups - to the same standards, and it's very much also a warning shot across the bow, because of these other areas they are approaching. We're deeply worried about how they might behave and treat civilians in those areas."

A senior rebel leader has refuted the Human Rights Watch claims.

"This is not the case in the liberated areas," rebel spokesman Mahmud Jibril told reporters in Brussels.

In the latest news from this sector of the front line, the BBC's World Affairs Editor, John Simpson, reports that a counter-attack is underway by forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

When pro-Gaddafi forces probed rebel positions at al-Qawalish, the rebels took to their vehicles and fled.

The rebels' early gains came in the East of Libya. Then their struggle against the army became deadlocked, despite a bombing campaign by Nato warplanes against pro-Gaddafi forces.

In recent weeks attention shifted to the west of the country, when opposition fighters based in the Nafusa Mountains (or Jebel Nafusa) seized territory bringing them to within 90km (55 miles) of Tripoli.

It is these gains the latest counter-attack aims to reverse.

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