I have to check with Liberia, Guinea Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea. La-Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Nigeria had already recognized the New Libya Transition Government and people. Haruna. Its a great day or West Africa.

Niger recognizes NTC as Libya's legitimate authority

NIAMEY, Aug 29, 2011 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Niger has recognized the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

An official statement, which was released by Niger's Foreign Minister Bazoum Mohamed, said on Saturday that the Nigerien government is closely following the developing situation in Libya.

The statement affirmed that "Niger still believes in the principles of equal sovereignty, noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries, good neighborliness and cooperation as well as the desire for peace and stability in a friendly country.

Therefore, the Nigerien government had acknowledged the regime change that happened in Libya which made the NTC to be the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people." At the same time, Niger asked the protagonistic sides to put down their weapons in order to promote peace and preserve the country's unity and social cohesion.

The Nigerien government further appealed to the international community to effectively contribute to restoration of peace and stability in the country besides helping to resolve the current humanitarian crisis.

Niamey equally asked NTC to guarantee the security and the well- being of foreigners living in Libya.

Libya and Niger have had close working relations in sectors such as commerce, tourism, security, culture, communication, training, road infrastructure and transport.