VARIOUS: China urges "stable transition" and Japan encourages a democratic process as flags adopted by Libyan rebels fly in Asia
Record ID:
491300
VARIOUS: China urges "stable transition" and Japan encourages a democratic process as flags adopted by Libyan rebels fly in Asia
- Title: VARIOUS: China urges "stable transition" and Japan encourages a democratic process as flags adopted by Libyan rebels fly in Asia
- Date: 25th August 2011
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AUGUST 23, 2011) (REUTERS) VIEW OF LIBYAN EMBASSY REBEL LIBYAN FLAG FLYING AT THE EMBASSY MORE OF FLAG FLYING AT EMBASSY POLICEMAN STANDING OUTSIDE EMBASSY LIBYA EMBASSY SIGN NOTE ON EMBASSY SIGN READING (ENGLISH): "LIBYAN MISSION SEOUL/KOREA" VARIOUS OF NOTICE IN EMBASSY WINDOW VARIOUS OF FLAG ADOPTED BY LIBYAN REBELS FLYING
- Embargoed: 9th September 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan, China, Korea, Republic of
- City:
- Country: Japan
- Topics:
- Reuters ID: LVA1OPC5V3ORFMKBOQOEA25W3ZWG
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Flags adopted by the Libyan rebels flew above the country's embassy in some Asian countries as China and Japan called for a smooth transition.
China urged a "stable transition of power" in Libya and said on Wednesday (August 24) it is in contact with the rebel National Transitional Council, the clearest sign yet that Beijing has effectively shifted recognition to forces poised to defeat Muammar Gaddafi.
"Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu released latest comment today. He said China is concerned about the significant change of the situation in Libya, in respect to the choice of the Libyan people and hopes for a stable transition of power," a statement read out by the CCTV news reader said.
"China has always attached significance to the important role of the National Transitional Council in solving Libya's problems, and maintained contact with it. We hope that the future new government will adopt effective measures, draw together the forces of different factions to restore social order as quickly as possible, and be committed to starting political and economical reconstruction to enable Libyan people live a stable and happy life," she said continuing to read the foreign ministry statement.
Beijing has yet to formally recognise the rebel forces as Libya's new leaders. But Ma's comments and a flurry of other official remarks indicated Beijing has decisively abandoned Gaddafi and turned to the rebels likely to take full control of Tripoli soon.
The Libyan embassy in Japan lowered the flag of the Gaddafi regime and raised the adopted rebel flag of the National Transitional Council in Libya.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Yukio Edano hoped the democratic process would be allowed to happen.
"We hope that there is no more bloodshed, and strongly hope that the democratic process is allowed to happen. We will stay in contact with the relevant countries and look to do whatever we can," Edano said.
The adopted rebel flag has been flying at the Libyan embassy in Seoul since Tuesday (August 23).
Embassy officials in both Tokyo and Seoul refused to comment.
South Korea's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it was considering sending money to Libyan rebels, while Seoul shares in construction firms soared amid growing hopes for resumption of their projects in Libya.
Seoul's Yonhap News agency reported South Korea planned to provide up to one million U.S. dollars in cash for humanitarian purposes to the rebels.
A beleaguered Muammar Gaddafi vowed on Wednesday to fight on to death or victory after rebels forced him to abandon his Tripoli stronghold in what appeared to be a decisive blow against the Libyan leader's 42-year rule. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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