(HERALD) Lift sanctions against Zim: Libya
Lift sanctions against Zim: LibyaFrom Innocent Gore in TRIPOLI, Libya
LIBYA has joined the growing list of countries calling for the lifting of the Western-imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe while it has reportedly refused to mediate in the dispute between Harare and London.
President Mugabe — who arrived here on Wednesday night for an official visit — held talks with his Libyan counterpart Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, during which he updated him on the situation in Zimbabwe.
Sources who attended the talks said the President told Col Gaddafi that while there was peace in the country, Zimbabwe was under threat from economic sanctions imposed by Western powers led by Britain and the United States.
These had resulted in the freezing of bilateral and multilateral aid and a ban of certain companies from doing business with Zimbabwe.
The President told Col Gaddafi that the US was seeking further ways of strangulating Zimbabwe and making available funds to the opposition ahead of next year’s elections.
Col Gaddafi reaffirmed Libya’s support for Zimbabwe on the land reform programme and called for the lifting of the sanctions.
In March, Sadc leaders called upon Britain and her allies to lift the economic sanctions against Zimbabwe and avail funds for land reform.
It is understood that Col Gaddafi, who recently met outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, declined to mediate on the Zimbabwe situation, saying Libya was in support of Zimbabwe and could, therefore, not act as mediator.
Both leaders, the sources said, blasted US plans to deploy an American command force on the continent, to be known as Africom.
They said this was a violation of Africa’s territorial integrity.
They took a position that Africa should stand united to counter the growing American unilateralism in world affairs.
Col Gaddafi, the sources said, wants Africa to come up with a clear statement on the European Union-Africa Summit slated for Portugal later this year, when the continent’s leaders meet for their annual AU summit in Accra, Ghana, next month. He wants the AU summit to make a clear statement on Zimbabwe.
Libya’s Foreign Minister was recently in Portugal, where he is said to have restated Libya’s position on the EU-Africa Summit. The Portuguese Prime Minister and his Foreign Minister are expected to attend the AU Summit in Accra.
After the talks, the President and his delegation attended a dinner hosted for them by the Libyan leader.
President Mugabe is being accompanied by the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Cde Joey Bimha, Information Secretary Cde George Charamba and other senior Government officials.
Zimbabwe and Libya enjoy cordial relations and Tripoli once came to Harare’s rescue when it faced crippling fuel shortages a few years ago.
Meanwhile, President Mugabe and Col Gaddafi yesterday held further talks on the AU government.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cde Mumbengegwi, who attended the meeting, the talks centred on how the AU government should be structured.
The two agreed on the roles and objectives of the AU government, and President Mugabe said there should a roadmap with certain achievable targets.
Cde Mugabe said formation of the AU government should, however, be embraced by the majority of AU member states and that there was need to convince them on this ahead of the Accra summit.
Labels: LIBYA, SANCTIONS, THE HERALD, ZIMBABWE
posted by MrK @ 9:20 PM
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