BANJUL, April 22, 2011 (AFP) - The west African state of Gambia said
Friday it was recognising the rebel Transitional National Council as the
only legitimate body representing Libyan interests, and expelling
Tripoli's diplomats.
A statement from the presidency read on state broadcasting media also
said Banjul was “freezing and closing all the assets in Gambia held on
behalf or in the name of” Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.
These assets include a multi-million dollar five-star hotel, the Jerma
Beach, the Laico Atlantic Hotel in the capital, Banjul, said to be worth
$18 million, and Dream Park, a children's amusement park, it said.
“This move is taken on account of the heinous atrocities that are being
carried out by the Kadhafi regime against innocent citizens and which
have seen to date massive loss of life and wanton destruction of
properties in Libya,” the statement said.
Gambia “is ordering all staff of the Libyan embassy in Banjul
representing the Kadhafi government to leave the country within 72
hours.” Diplomatic sources said they numbered 20 people, though
ambassador Ali Mohammed al-Hissnawe was currently undergoing medical
treatment in London.
The statement noted that from the start of the conflict in Libya two
months ago Banjul had called on Kadhafi to step down “as the only
solution to ending the unrest and bringing peace and tranquility and
stability in Libya.”
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