MEXICO: Libya's embassy in Mexico raises rebel flag as the rule of Muammar Gaddafi crumbles. Embassy delegate calls on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to end his support for the embattled dictator.

Record ID: 304019

  • Title: MEXICO: Libya's embassy in Mexico raises rebel flag as the rule of Muammar Gaddafi crumbles. Embassy delegate calls on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to end his support for the embattled dictator.
  • Date: 24th August 2011
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (AUGUST 23, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF LIBYAN EMBASSY IN MEXICO CITY PLAQUE OUTSIDE LIBYAN EMBASSY VARIOUS OF EMBASSY STAFF RAISING REBEL FLAG AT EMBASSY LIBYAN POLITICAL ADVISOR FOR THE EMBASSY, AHMED EL HAFI, ENTERING ROOM FOR MEDIA INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) (loose translation) AHMED EL HAFI, POLITICAL ADVISOR AT THE LIBYAN EMBASSY, SAYING: "The Gaddafi era that we are leaving behind for us represents the injustice of the misuse of power and the abuse of human rights and democracy. An authoritarian regime that curtailed the power of the Libyan people and prohibited citizens. He is the only one, the last ruler, the powerful - we are entering a new era." VARIOUS OF POLITICAL ADVISOR WITH TRANSLATOR DURING MEDIA INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) (loose translation) LIBYAN POLITICAL ADVISOR, AHMED EL HAFI, SAYING: "For Latin American countries Venezuela and Nicaragua and others we ask that you support the Libyan cause because human rights and democracy are one. We are waiting for all Latin American countries to recognise the National Transition Council of Libya without exception." EL HAFI AND STAFF LEAVING MEDIA INTERVIEW REBEL FLAG FLYING OVER EMBASSY EXTERIOR OF EMBASSY POLICE GUARDING EMBASSY MEDIA LEAVING EMBASSY
  • Embargoed: 8th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico, Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVAB5FJ3P9RRYVK0K8DHST6DBEFP
  • Story Text: As rebel forces rapidly gain ground in Tripoli, representatives at Libya's embassy in Mexico on Tuesday (August 23) announced they had switched allegiance to the rebel side.
    Raising the rebel flag above the grounds of the embassy, Libyan Political Advisor for the embassy, Ahmed El Hafi, said the mission was joining a growing number of Libyan embassies around the world that had defected to the rebel-led National Transition Council.
    "The Gaddafi era that we are leaving behind for us represents the injustice of the misuse of power and the abuse of human rights and democracy. An authoritarian regime that curtailed the power of the Libyan people and prohibited citizens. He is the only one, the last ruler, the powerful - we are entering a new era," exclaimed El Hafi.
    The announcement came as emboldened rebels told international media they had taken control of much of Tripoli.
    With friend and political ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez still professing his support for the embattled dictator, the embassy official called on Gaddafi's remaining allies in Latin America to put their weight behind the popular movement.
    "For Latin American countries Venezuela and Nicaragua and others we ask that you support the Libyan cause because human rights and democracy are one. We are waiting for all Latin American countries to recognise the National Transition Council of Libya without exception," added El Hafi.
    Mexico's government has been critical of Gaddafi throughout the conflict with Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa labeling the repression of opposition forces in Libya a "crime against humanity."
    It has been seven months that rebels have been fighting to topple Gaddafi. On Tuesday (August 23) triumphant rebels seized Muammar Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli after a fierce battle with a loyalist rearguard but there has been no word on the fate of the Libyan leader who vowed again to fight "to the end".
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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