The Chair of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdul Jalil has travelled to the UK to speak
with senior Government figures.
He will meet the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for International Development.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
“I am very pleased to welcome Mr Abdul Jalil to the UK. The NTC is a legitimate representative of the Libyan people. The situation in Libya remains of very serious concern, and this visit provides a welcome opportunity to discuss with Mr Abdul Jalil the latest situation on the ground and to look at how the UK and international community can continue to support the Libyan people.
“We will discuss a range of issues, including the establishment of a permanent NTC office in London and the provision of further non-lethal equipment and support to the NTC.
“We will explore in more detail the measures agreed at last week’s Contact Group meeting in Rome, including the operation of a Transitional Financial Mechanism, which was driven by the UK. The Transitional Financial Mechanism comes into operation today and will allow the NTC to provide essential services to the people of Libya.
“We will also share views on the situation in Western Libya, which remains deeply troubling. Colonel Qadhafi continues to brutalise his own people. The British Government urges him to stand down immediately and initiate a real ceasefire, so that the legitimate needs of Libya’s people can be met”
