Turkey urged for unity amidst turmoil in Libya

The first foreign official to visit the rebel stronghold in Libya after Sunday's clashes for the control of Tripoli, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu delivered a message in Benghazi yesterday that freedom and unity were the main priorities for Turkey. Davutoglu arrived in Benghazi in a swiftly-arranged visit when he was in Ethiopia's Addis Ababa on Monday as part of a tour of African countries. Pledging Turkey's continuing support for securing international recognition of the National Transitional Council, Davutoglu said the Libya Contact Group meeting of political directors in Istanbul tomorrow will consider Libya’s needs and concrete steps. NATO will continue its military campaign in Libya until full security is established in the nation, Davutoglu added, while also noting that frozen Libyan assets should be released before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for the benefit of the people. His remarks came at a joint press conference following talks with Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who chairs the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC). “Security support provided by NATO forces will continue until security is fully established in Libya. Libya's political and territorial unity must be fully secured,” Davutoglu said. “Frozen assets of Libya should be unfrozen to help Libya before the end of Ramadan. Libyans need financial resources rapidly,” he said.