The Libyan Interim National Council

Today it was announced that the requirement for Libyans to obtain entry visas for travel into Egypt has been reversed. Vice Chairman of the NTC, Mr. Abdul Hafeedh Ghoga commented:

“We send our heartfelt thanks to Egypt for reversing its decision on the entry visa issue. The initial decision to require entry visas was taken with good reasons in mind. However, Egypt quickly identified the difficulties created by this decision, not least the restriction of movement for those Libyans injured in battle”.

The National Transitional Council confirms that the measures taken by the Egyptian authorities in imposing an entry visa to Libyan nationals wishing to enter the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the regulation of entry into Libya by Egyptian and other Arab nationals, are temporary measures.

They have been taken in the interest of the February 17th revolution and will ensure greater protection for the people of Libya under the conditions that the country finds itself in.

These measures will be undertaken without any complications and as fast as possible in collaboration with the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi. To make this process as easy as possible for Libyan nationals a travel office will be opened in the city of Tobruk to enable citizens living in the Eastern regional to obtain visas.

The NTC appeals to all citizens for their understanding of these measures and for their cooperation with the concerned authorities to ensure the safe implementation for the sake of public interest.

For all of those interested in up-to-date information from Misurata, you are encouraged to visit the official Misurata website: www.freemisurata.com

Media representative for the Misurata City Council, Mr. Saddoun El-Misurati announced that data is often updated within 10-12 hours and covers important topics such as frontline news, casualty rates and other key events such as demonstrations and meetings. Photos and video uploads are often provided.

The website is currently only in Arabic but there are plans to provide an English version soon.

The National Transitional Council would like to respond to the remarks made by Mr. Baghdad Al-Mahmoudy, Prime Minister of the Gaddafi regime, concerning his claim that the Gaddafi regime has paid salaries to workers in all government departments, including those in the East of Libya.

The statement made by the Gaddafi regime is incorrect and untrue and the National Transitional Council would like to clarify the actual situation:

1. The NTC has paid the salaries for all employees of the public sector for the month of March 2011 using the available data inherited from Tripoli central authorities. Despite the regime’s attempt to withhold this data we have managed to obtain salary data from these authorities and effected payment by the banks.

The NTC has also paid the salaries of employees referred from public jobs at the National Centre ( a centre for Libyans without jobs ), totaling 140,000 employees in the liberated areas of Libya. These employees were unjustly referred to the National Centre by the regime which deprived them of employment and resulted in their loss of motivation.

The NTC has also paid out returns on financial investments and has begun research into the status of those in need of help in preparation of support funding.

2. No cash has been transferred to cover salaries and expenses since the month of February.

The Gaddafi regime has exploited the banking network connecting all Libyan banks and has transferred the balances of several accounts belonging to institutions and companies in Benghazi to Tripoli to deny the rightful owners of these assets.

The National Transitional Council would like to clarify remarks made in an official press conference yesterday concerning the purchase of weapons.

The NTC and the free Libya armed forces are purchasing weapons in order to provide brave Libyans with the necessary means to rid the country of the Gaddafi regime.

The purchase of these weapons has not and will not be funded by monies accrued through the Temporary Financing Mechanism established by the Contact Group states.

The National Transitional Council deplores yesterday’s attack on the city of Misrata, which was facilitated by the use of aircraft marked with the Red Cross and inflicted by a heavy barrage by artillery. The Gaddafi regime attackers dropped mines in the city’s harbour and other explosives on the city, before artillery fire focused on the destruction of fuel storage tanks.

NTC Vice President and Spokesman Mr. Abdul Hafeedh Ghoga called on NATO to step up its efforts to protect Libyan civilians from Gaddafi’s brutality.

“Attacking civilians disguised as a Red Cross operation is yet another example of the depravity that characterizes Gaddafi’s hostility against the Libyan people. It demonstrates that he is willing to go to any length to destroy Libya. We salute the bravery and courage of our brothers in Mistrata and continue to provide them with any support needed. We also call on NATO to intensify its operations against Gaddafi forces and ensure that such a catastrophe doesn’t happen again”, he remarked.

In memory of the 1984 prosecution and imprisonment of young men and women, a demonstration was held from Dareeh Omar Al Mukhtar to Tahreer Square on Saturday, May 7^th. Most of the demonstrators were men and women who were imprisoned in that year, or have family members who have been prosecuted or imprisoned.

Fatma Al Tayeb and Majdah El Sahli both participated in the demonstrations, where they were both jailed for four years by the Ghaddaffi regime.  Mr. Ahmed Berniah and Mr. Wanees El Esawe also were imprisoned in 1984.

Others didn’t have the chance to stand here with us today, such as Mr. Abd El Bary Fanoush and Mr. Sadeg El Shweehdi, who were prosecuted in that year.

For 27 years the victims’ families were deprived of the most basic right, which to bury their loved ones and to hold their funerals.  But today all has changed, and even the right to grief is back

The National Transitional Council welcomes the International Criminal Court’s report into crimes against humanity committed by the Gaddafi regime and the warrants for three leading regime members.

Vice-Chairman Mr. Abdul Hafeed Ghoga commented that the NTC will cooperate fully with the ICC and hopes that justice will be served in the shortest time possible.

“We are not surprised in the slightest by the ICC report. Libyans have suffered terribly at the hands of the Gaddafi regime for forty years and these cases are just the tip of the iceberg. The NTC is fully committed to the protection of human rights”, he stated.

The ICC report, presented by at the UN Security Council by Luis Moreno-Ocampo, listed numerous crimes against humanity including the shooting at peaceful protestors; preventing the wounded from receiving medical care; arresting, torturing and raping perceived opponents of the Qaddafi government; and the use of cluster bombs, mortars and other heavy weapons in crowded urban areas.

The report noted that, ‘the persecution appears to be also systematic and implemented in different cities. War crimes are apparently committed as a matter of policy. ‘

The NTC issued the following statement in response to recent attacks carried out by the Gaddafi regime against embassies and offices in Tripoli:

“We condemn these attacks on embassies by Gaddafi forces in violation of the Vienna Convention. This is a clear sign that Gaddafi does not respect international law. Gaddafi and his regime are in violation of diplomatic relations and this is unacceptable” .

The Qaddafi regime has consistently squandered Libya’s substantial oil revenues. As a consequence of such gross mismanagement and corruption, the regime has impeded the ability of the Libyan people to enjoy the wealth of their nation and failed to foster institutions that uphold the rule of law and human rights.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) hereby reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that oil revenues will be allocated to the fulfillment of the economic, social, and cultural rights of the Libyan people, such as increased spending on education, health, and other social services. Public funds will be made transparent and will be used for the betterment of the Libyan people and the development of the country.

We also adhere to and support the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency as promoted by the International Monetary Fund.  We look forward to when a free and united Libya is able to work with such international institutions to increase fiscal transparency, accountability and best practice, particularly in the management of oil revenues and government expenditures.