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Libya Contact Group Discusses Funding for Rebels

   Phillip Walter Wellman | Abu Dhabi  June 09, 2011
   Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez talks to the journalists
   before the third meeting of Contact Group on Libya in Abu Dhabi, United
   Arab Emirates, June 9, 2011

Photo: AP

   Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez talks to the journalists
   before the third meeting of Contact Group on Libya in Abu Dhabi, United
   Arab Emirates, June 9, 2011

   Representatives from nations backing military action in Libya began
   talks in Abu Dhabi Thursday to discuss ways to help the country's
   opposition.
   A number of issues were said to be on the table including implementing
   resolutions that allow air strikes on Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces
   and restrict members of the defiant leader's regime from travelling.
   Speaking ahead of Thursday's talks, Spain's Foreign Minister, Trinidad
   Jimenez said issues of funding were still key.
   "We want to find a financial mechanism to give the Transitional
   National Council a way to sustain the needs for the Libyan People." he
   said.
   Maurizio Massari, the spokesperson for Italy's foreign minister had
   similar words.
   "The priority for them [TNC] is to secure this financial help in order
   to satisfy the immediate needs of the population and for the
   functioning of the TNC and the provisional government. They set up this
   government and need to pay salaries and get by with daily life. They
   need this money now," he said.
   Massari said the funds raised for the TNC are not intended to be spent
   on weapons, but he failed to explain what mechanisms, if any, have been
   put in place to prevent this.
   Earlier this week, U.S. President Barack Obama said NATO's mission in
   Libya was forging 'inexorable' advances that meant it was only a matter
   of time before Colonel Gadhafi's exit.
   On Wednesday, NATO vowed to keep up an intensified air campaign.
   The same day, government forces in Libya carried out a heavy assault on
   the rebel-held city of Misrata.
   It's the third meeting of the so-called Libya Contact Group.
   At the last summit in Rome, officials agreed to set up a temporary fund
   to assist the National Transitional Council [TNC], the political body
   formed to represent Libya's opposition rebels.

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