Foreign Secretary visits Libya
Foreign Secretary William Hague has officially re-opened the British Embassy in Tripoli, and appointed a new Ambassador, Sir John Jenkins.
Foreign Secretary, William Hague, visited Tripoli on Monday 17 October. During his visit, the Foreign Secretary met NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil; officially re-opened the British Embassy in Tripoli; and announced the appointment of Sir John Jenkins as the new British Ambassador.
Speaking at the end of the visit, the Foreign Secretary said:
鈥淭oday marks a watershed in the UK鈥檚 relations with Libya. Having been one of the first diplomatic Missions back into Tripoli after its liberation, we have now formally re-opened our Embassy and appointed an excellent new Ambassador to Libya Sir John Jenkins. This is further recognition of the great progress the National Transitional Council has made in stabilising Libya and re-establishing the country鈥檚 role as a full member of the international community.
鈥溁使谔逵齛pp Libyan people鈥檚 decisive break with the past means we are now able to open a new era in UK-Libya relations, building on our military, political, diplomatic and humanitarian support to the Libyan people during their revolution. I am therefore pleased to make the following announcements:
鈥淔irst, the UK will make available places for Libyans injured in the conflict to receive treatment in the UK. Up to 50 more patients who have suffered traumatic amputations will be offered rehabilitation and prosthetics care. Libyan health experts will be invited to observe the care so that they can support these patients on their return to Libya and others with similar injuries.
鈥淪econd, we are also increasing our contribution to security and stability in Libya. We are making available further support for emergency de-mining activities by the UN Mine Actions Service. This will help to protect thousands of people so that they can return to their homes including around Sirte and Bani Walid. And along with the US we are destroying hundreds of Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) to improve security throughout Libya.
鈥淭hird, at the NTC鈥檚 request, UK experts on policing civil society and public financial management are now working in Libya.
鈥淔ourth, the final requested shipment of Libyan banknotes frozen in the UK will be delivered to Libya, helping the economy to get back on track and provide for the Libyan people.
鈥淭o date, the UK has allocated 拢20.6m to support Libya鈥檚 stabilisation and up to a further 拢20m to support political and economic reform.
鈥淥ur Embassy will have an important role to play as we build our relations with the new Libya, as will the diplomatic office we are maintaining in Benghazi, and I have every confidence that our diplomats here will do so with distinction. I pay tribute to all our staff in Tripoli and Benghazi for their courageous efforts in recent months, and to our dedicated staff from DFID, the MOD and UKTI staff, whose work will also help us cement our new partnership with Libya.鈥�