Libya interim govt head rejects foreign intervention

Former Libyan Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil, who resigned in the wake of the violent suppression of the revolts that started on Feb. 17, said the main features of the interim government he formed are not yet clear and rejected all sorts of foreign intervention.

“The interim government has so far been formed in the eastern parts of Libya, which are now under the control of the opposition,” Abdul Jalil told Al Arabiya on Sunday.

According to Abdul Jalil, the features of this interim government, or national council, will be clearer when the rest of Libya, the western parts and the capital Tripoli, are liberated from the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

“It is not yet an interim government in the proper sense of the word, but rather a series of negotiations to form a transitional national council made up of the municipal councils of all Libyan cities and villages that are no longer under Gaddafi’s grip.”

Abdul Jalil added that this council will include Libyans of all tribes and categories as well as those who live abroad.

“The national council will even include Gaddafi’s tribe al-Gaddadfa. After all, they are Libyans and we can never deny the role their grandfathers played to serve this country.”

Abdul Jalil praised Libyan youths and stressed that the sacrifices they offered will never be forgotten.

“We will never forget what we owe the rebels and the martyrs who liberated the country.”

Regarding U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s offer to help the new opposition government, Abdul Jalil denied that any negotiations are taking place with the United States or any other foreign power.

“We will never accept any foreign intervention and any foreigners who try to do so will face the same fate as Gaddafi’s mercenaries.”


(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)

The national council will even include Gaddafi’s tribe al-Gaddadfa. After all, they are Libyans and we can never deny the role their grandfathers played to serve this country

Libyan former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil