Libyan opponents received on the sly at the European Council on Friday (Maj)
(BRUSSELS2/Exclusive) The two opposition emissaries (Libyan Interim Council), Mahmoud Jibril and Ali al-Essawi, have been in Brussels since yesterday evening. They will not be received directly by Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, as envisaged for a moment. But by a member of his cabinet, his sherpa (diplomatic adviser), Zoltan Martinusz. A meeting scheduled for this morning (around 11 a.m.), “at the request of Libyan opponents “, we want to clarify to the cabinet of Herman Van Rompuy. A meeting which comes after the Elysée has officially received the two "responsible for international relations" of the Libyan revolution. And which could be followed by others, depending on how the situation develops... within the 27.
(Update 20 p.m.) Herman Van Rompuy quickly greeted the two opponents (a handshake between two doors) and published a press release after this meeting: “ I think this delegation made a very important decision. Even though some of them had bad responsibilities in the previous regime, they made a very brave decision to break with Kadhafi and take the side of the rebellion. And some of them even risk their lives with this gesture. It is an important step. Of course, the proof of the pudding is in eating it, but we consider them reliable enough at this point to work with. You must be logical. If we do not want to negotiate with Gaddafi, we must negotiate or have an interlocutor, and the Council is a reliable interlocutor in our opinion. ". (English translation)
