Algeria Was Wrong Not to Support the Revolution in Libya, NTC Senior Official
Representative of the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Egypt, Fayez Jibril, says in this interview with Echorouk reporter that he is still skeptic over reports that Algeria would have required the NTC to overcome the border issue between the two nations, in exchange of a recognition of Algiers of the NTC, saying there are more important issues the two neighbouring parties have to fix, beginning with the recent political conflict erupting between them.
“Recognition under conditions is a new phenomenon; and I wonder why should I set conditions to recognize you? It’s unethical attitude. Algeria was supposed to support the NTC because we have been fighting a dictator. Instead of recognizing its mistake, you are telling me that it has set conditions to recognize the NTC,” Mr Fayez Jibril deplored, adding “If really Mahmoud Jibril (head executive of the NTC) said that, I’d stand against him, for there are too many important and pending issues that the two parties have to discuss and fix, including Gaddafi’s loss of legitimacy, and some other pending issues like neighbouring, recent uncertainty of the Algerian position toward the Libyan Revolution.”
As for the recurrent raise of Algeria flag in Gaddafi stronghold, namely Bab Azizia, before the collapse of the regime, Mr Fayez Jibril indicated that “Gaddafi wanted to convey a message by doing so, it’s one of his tricks, and I’d say that Algeria flag is sacred by martyrs’ blood, and Gaddafi shouldn’t touch it.”
Concerning the argument Algeria used as not to interfere in Libya because it is about an internal affair, the NTC official said: “Well, the entire world has not said it is an internal affair! We were eager for a support from our brothers!”
Mr Fayez Jibril further mentioned that he “personally” endorses to adopt a “constitutional monarchy system,” excluding, however, that Islamist extremists to compete for power in post Gaddafi era, “and militant groups who joined the revolution, they are not extremists, as they haven’t announced allegiance to Osama Bin Laden when he declared war on the United States. They joined the revolution to train people and get revenge assassinations and tortures they endured from Gaddafi’s regime.
Finally, concerning the price to be paid to the NATO in exchange of its military support to the anti Gaddafi revolt, Mr Jibril said: “It won’t be more than blood we offered. Is oil more expensive than liberty?”