Cameron, Sarkozy visit Libya
Source: TOI
Arriving
at Tripoli's airport in a French plane, Cameron and Sarkozy were
greeted by leaders from the National Transitional Council, the closest
thing Libya has to a functioning government.
TRIPOLI: Libyans applauded as British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday became the first world leaders to travel to Libya since revolutionary forces seized the capital.
The visit was a major endorsement for Libya's new rulers as they struggle to form a government despite continued fighting in areas still loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
Britain and France led international support for the rebellion and their countries were major contributors to NATO airstrikes that helped turn the tide in favor of the opposition.
NATO forces continued to go after the holdout loyalist forces. Airstrikes hit targets 24 targets on Wednesday, including several radar systems and surface-to-air missile systems near the three main strongholds of Gaddafi's supporters -- his hometown of Sirte, Bani Walid and Sabha -- as well as smaller holdouts Waddan and Zillah, the alliance said.
Arriving at Tripoli's airport in a French plane, Cameron and Sarkozy were greeted by leaders from the National Transitional Council, the closest thing Libya has to a functioning government. Security was tight in the coastal capital, with Apache helicopters buzzing over the Mediterranean Sea.
France's finance minister said the visit was not about landing economic deals but about showing support for the former rebels who ousted Gaddafi.
French news reports said Sarkozy was accompanied by dozens of French riot police, an unusual move that underlined the continued worries over security.
The visit was a major endorsement for Libya's new rulers as they struggle to form a government despite continued fighting in areas still loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
Britain and France led international support for the rebellion and their countries were major contributors to NATO airstrikes that helped turn the tide in favor of the opposition.
NATO forces continued to go after the holdout loyalist forces. Airstrikes hit targets 24 targets on Wednesday, including several radar systems and surface-to-air missile systems near the three main strongholds of Gaddafi's supporters -- his hometown of Sirte, Bani Walid and Sabha -- as well as smaller holdouts Waddan and Zillah, the alliance said.
Arriving at Tripoli's airport in a French plane, Cameron and Sarkozy were greeted by leaders from the National Transitional Council, the closest thing Libya has to a functioning government. Security was tight in the coastal capital, with Apache helicopters buzzing over the Mediterranean Sea.
France's finance minister said the visit was not about landing economic deals but about showing support for the former rebels who ousted Gaddafi.
French news reports said Sarkozy was accompanied by dozens of French riot police, an unusual move that underlined the continued worries over security.
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