Radosław Sikorski the first European Foreign Minister to visit Libya’s insurgents
The Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs is the first politician of his rank to meet with the Libyan insurgents in their unofficial capital, Benghazi. The Minister, along with a delegation and journalists, landed in Benghazi around 4pm yesterday. During the visit, which lasted several hours, Radosław Sikorski met with the head of the Interim Transitional National Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, and visited a local hospital to deliver Polish medical aid.
This was the first visit to the country by the foreign minister of a Libya Contact Group state since the start of hostilities. The trip was arranged together with Catherine Ashton, the European High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and NATO members ahead of Poland taking over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is an expression of political support for the Libyan Council’s vision of Libya’s future, which involves the construction of a modern democratic state and society.
“I am here in consultation with the EU High Representative. The only possible solution for Libya is the departure of Colonel Gaddafi and the start of the constitutional process, which will bring democracy to Libya. We wish the Libyan people victory in democratisation,” Minister Sikorski said. “We in Poland, like you here in Libya, are revolutionaries. We tossed off the shackles of dictatorship 22 years ago. If we could do it with ‘Solidarity,’ so can you.”
Sikorski’s visit was welcomed by insurgents, who thanked the minister for coming. A few dozen demonstrators were waiting in front of the hotel where talks were being held, with banners proclaiming “Poland…we will not forget…and the history will remember” and “Libya embraces freedom – Poland embraces Libya.”
The head of the Libyan National Council thanked Poland for its support, solidarity with the Libyan revolution and medical aid.
Minister Sikorski’s visit was the subject of much positive coverage in the Polish and foreign media.
AK, trans. MR
