"This decisive transitional period needs cooperation between all Libyans of walks of life and all hues to help open a new chapter in Libya’s history that enhances national unity and reconciliation and pave the way for building new Libya in which security, stability and welfare prevail," Al-Zayani said in a press statement today.
Al-Zayani said the GCC member states supported the aspirations of the Libyan people and their legitimate hopes, since the beginning of the crisis and stood very supportive of all efforts to protect the Libyan civilians.
The GCC will continue their support for the Libyan people to realize their hopes for a better future and a decent life, he concluded.
Bahrain recognises Libyan rebel council
Khaleej Times: Bahrain recognised on Tuesday the rebels’ National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people, as rebels fought their way to control the capital Tripoli.
A foreign ministry statement said the decision was “in light of ongoing developments in Libya,” in a clear reference to the progress made by the rebels in seizing control of most of the capital.
The decision was “out of solidarity and brotherly links between the kingdom of Bahrain, including its government and people, and the Libyan people,” said the statement carried by the BNA official news agency.
Bahrain is the fourth Gulf country to recognise the NTC, after Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia and Oman, the two remaining members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, are yet to recognise the council.
Pledge to move ahead with Palestine’s UN bid
Gulf Times: The Arab League’s Peace Initiative Committee yesterday pledged to move ahead with the decision to go to the United Nations to secure full membership for the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The meeting also approved a work plan to build up international support for the Palestinian bid for the UN.
HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani said the meeting discussed issues relevant to the committee’s mission and a follow-up of the (Palestinian-Israeli) peace process.
He said that an extraordinary meeting would be held in Cairo next Saturday to discuss what should be done to sustain the Palestinian cause, and to study the return of Libya’s membership at the Arab League.
He said that the Israeli attacks in Gaza were unjustifiable and could not be accepted.
“Moreover, as Israel continues the construction of new settlements, any hope on progress in the peace process diminishes.”
However, Arabs wanted peace and would always work for it, he added.
The meeting statement held fast to the Arab decision to go to the United Nations to secure the full membership of the State of Palestine on the basis of the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The committee asked the secretary general of the Arab League to continue his contacts with political and geographical groups as well as the heads of regional and international organisations to get necessary support to guarantee the success of the Arab move.
HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said that Syria was an important Arab country and stability there was crucial to the Arab world. “Its location is important for it has borders with Israel.”
He also said the situation in Syria was different from that in Libya because the government there had already promised political reforms. However there must be a time schedule to implement such reforms. There should also be a strategy to carry them out as soon as possible.
He said the extraordinary meeting next Saturday in Cairo would discuss the situation in Libya as well as Syria. The Arab countries would study methods to help stabilise the situation in Syria. He affirmed that the bloodbath in Syria should stop immediately.
