Bongiwe Zihlangu
MASERU — Lesotho will support Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) because it represents the will of the people, foreign affairs minister Mohlabi Tsekoa has said.
Tsekoa said this on Thursday when addressing parliament before news broke that deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi had been killed in his home town of Sirte by NTC fighters.
“If the National Transitional Council will lead to the end of the conflict in Libya, Lesotho will embrace it and develop a working relationship with it,” Tsekoa said.
“Accordingly, Lesotho will continue to support that which is the will of the people of Libya, a peaceful settlement and the initiation of a democratic process for the future of Libya.”
Tsekoa was speaking on Lesotho’s stance on the Libyan civil war during parliament’s weekly question and answer session.
Basotho National Party (BNP) MP Ranthomeng Matete had asked him to shed some light on the Lesotho government’s stance on the latest developments in Libya.
Matete was specifically referring to the bombing campaign by Nato as well as the “inception of a transitional government in the country”.
“The devastating carnage, typified by airstrikes, gruesome bloodshed and loss of life carried out by all sides, particularly the Nato forces, deserves condemnation,” Tsekoa said.
“The future of Libya must remain in the hands of the people of Libya. As far as possible all disputes must be settled peacefully and through dialogue.”
Tsekoa said Lesotho would resume relationships with the NTC after the conflict in Libya.
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