Britain is to recognise the rebel opposition as Libya’s legitimate government and expel all existing Libyan embassy staff from the country, Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Wednesday. The UK will also unfreeze 91 million pounds ($148 million) of assets held in Britain for the rebel-held oil company AGOCO. “We are inviting the National Transitional Council to appoint a new Libyan diplomatic envoy to take over the Libyan embassy in London,” Hague told a news conference. “This decision reflects the National Transitional Council’s increasing legitimacy, competence and success in reaching out to Libyans across the country,” he added. He said that in line with a UN Security Council resolution, Britain is continuing to explore how to unfreeze assets to support the rebels.
