Britain Recognizes NTC; Dismisses Libyan Embassy Diplomats

Today, British foreign secretary William Hague recognized Libya’s National transitional Council as the legitimate ruling government. He dismissed London embassy diplomats and is “inviting the Libyan National Transitional Council to appoint a new Libyan diplomatic envoy to take over the Libyan embassy in London.” Also according to al-Jazeera, the diplomats have been given three days to fully pack up and leave the United Kingdom. One foreign office member stated, “We now regard the NTC as the legitimate expression of the Libyan people. We have invited them to set up shop and represent the Libyan people with full diplomatic status.” This is an unusual turn for the Brits as they usually recognize states rather than governments.

Additionally, Britain unfroze £91 million of Libyan assets for the benefit of the newly recognized government.

The ICC has also announced that Gadhafi, his son Saif al-Islam Gadhafi and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi have arrest warrants if and when they leave Libya.