Raza Gilani: Pakistan will recognise new govt in Libya

Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his country will recognise the new government in Libya.

The Express Tribune quoted Gilani as saying that Pakistan believes in the sovereignty and independence of all countries, and does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country.

It was reported earlier that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had asked the government to recognise the National Transitional Council (NTC) government in Libya that has taken control after overthrowing the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

In a letter written to Gilani, PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar warned that lives and jobs of over 55,000 Pakistani expatriates would be highly vulnerable if there is a further delay in recognising the council.

On August 25 this year, the Libyan envoy in Islamabad, Ibrahim al Ebad, removed the Gaddafi regime’s green coloured flag, and hoisted the de facto flag of Libya, used by the National Transitional Council at the Libyan embassy in Islamabad. According to official sources, however, the Libyan ambassador hoisted the new flag without the prior approval of the Pakistani government.

“It was mandatory for the Libyan ambassador to obtain prior permission from Islamabad to hoist the new flag of his country,” an official said.