Liberia: Government Breaks Diplomatic ties with Libya
By Augustine N. Myers – The Government of the Republic of Liberia has announced that it has decided to break diplomatic relations with Libya and to withdraw the Liberian Ambassador and diplomatic staff from the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
- President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
A release from the Government of Liberia through its Foreign Affairs Ministry, also says it has suspended the operations of the Libyan People’s Bureau in Monrovia and terminated diplomatic status for its diplomats who remain loyal to Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi’s regime.
According to the release, the Liberian Government took the decision after a careful review of the situation in Libya and determined that the Government of Colonel Qadhafi has lost the legitimacy to govern Libya.
- Executive Mansion, Seat of the Liberian Presidency now undergoing renovation
The Government of the Republic of Liberia has meanwhile stressed that the violence against the Libyan people must stop, in the wake of instability in Libya.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also serves as temporary Office of President Johnsoh-Sirleaf after fire gutted the Executive Mansion on July 26, 2006
According to the Government, as the oldest independent African Republic, Liberia has fought relentlessly for the decolonization of the Continent and for subjugated and oppressed peoples everywhere to freely exercise the right to self-determination.
Therefore, the Liberian Government pointed out that it is in this light that Liberia has traditionally granted recognition to independent countries and not individual governments.
The Liberian Government believes, the expectation is that having gained freedom and independence, the people will freely choose their own government in whatever form or fashion, because accordingly, the current situation in Libya does not lend itself to giving the people of that country the freedom to choose their own government and to determine the future of their own country.
The Government of Liberia said it will review the decision on its diplomatic relationship with Libya after the people of Libya reach a political settlement which offers the best hope of lasting peace.
Meanwhile, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says Liberia is taking the lead to break diplomatic relations with Libya, and hopes that other African Countries will follow same.
President Johnson-Sirleaf in an interview from London where she is currently visiting, expressed that hope that all African leaders will reach the final decision to cut diplomatic relations, until a democratic Government is recognized in Libya.
According to President Johnson-Sirleaf, the final decision is likely to be taken in Malabo, when they all go there for the next African Union Summit at the end of June 2011.
