Mahmoud Jibril, the head of the National Transitional Council, also renewed a call for the urgent release of frozen Libyan assets, saying the government could face a “legitimacy crisis” if the Libyan people’s demands are not met.
Jibril said the opposition needs the money to pay state salaries and maintain services in Libya, including in areas still under Muammar Qaddafi’s control. Funds are also needed for an army and a police force to restore order and confiscate arms, he said.
“If the services expected by the citizens are not met, we may be faced with a legitimacy crisis,” Jibril told reporters at a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Jibril arrived in Turkey to attend a meeting Thursday of the so-called “Contact Group” of some 30 countries leading efforts to stabilize Libya.
The US and South Africa reached a deal Thursday that will release $1.5 billion in frozen Libyan assets in American banks which the US is earmarking for the cash-strapped rebels fighting to oust Qaddafi.
South Africa had blocked agreement in the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against Libya on unfreezing the $1.5 billion in US banks over concerns that it implied recognition of the National Transitional Council. South Africa has not recognized the rebel government and neither has the African Union nor the United Nations.
Jibril called on the African Union to recognize the rebel’s government as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people and that their representative will take up the country’s seat the United Nations.
“We hope the new Libya will once again occupy its seat at the United Nations as it had before,” he added.
The Libyan opposition says it urgently needs at least $5 billion in frozen assets.
Analysts estimate that as much as $110 billion is frozen in banks worldwide and several European nations are also seeking to release funds, including Britain, France and Italy, which announced Thursday it wants to release euro350 million ($505 million) for the rebels.
Davutoglu said: “The waving of the new flag, international recognition and financial support are the three pillars for a sovereign Libya and must be installed.”
