The Kenyan government has formally recognised the Libyan rebels, saying Nairobi was prepared to work with the Transitional National Council (TNC)to restore order in Libya. Kenya's Foreign Minister, George Saitoti, said on Tuesday that the country was prepared to work with the Transitional National Council in restoring peace and urged them to immediately initiate talks aimed at arriving at a mutually agreed political arrangement.

“Kenya stands ready to work with the people of Libya, the African Union and the International Community to help build a new Libya,” Saitoti said in a statement.

“With the impending collapse of the regime of Colonel Mouammar Kadhafi, Kenya urges that all efforts be exerted for the early restoration of peace and stability in Libya,” the foreign minister added.

Consistent with the African Union roadmap for Libya, Saitoti said Kenya had always believed that only a political solution would make it possible to fulfill the mutually reinforcing objectives of peace, democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and national reconciliation.

The new step to formally recognise the TNC came after several months of pressure from the US for the Kenyan government to freeze the Libyan government assets in Kenya, mainly in the energy, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Libya owns one of Nairobi's most prestigious hotels, known as the Laico Regency, which it purchased from Kenya for 4 billion shillings.

Libya is also a leading investor in the planned Kenya-Uganda oil pipeline, which was meant to be constructed from 2007.

However, there was a delay in the construction due to the need to change the pipeline design.

The US$300 million project remains dormant, but the multi-billion shilling Oil Libya, an oil marketing firm, continues to operate in Kenya.

Kenyan officials said earlier that it would not act under international pressure to severe diplomatic ties with Libya, noting that it re-appointed a senior diplomat to Libya as soon as the fighting started but retained diplomatic ties with Tripoli under Kadhafi's rule.

Kenya called on the interim authority to proceed with the immediate establishment of an all inclusive political dialogue aimed at bringing together all the people of Libya, which  would culminate in the holding of free, fair and transparent elections under a new constitution.

“We have been following with utmost attention the rapidly evolving situation in Libya,” the Kenyan foreign minister said.

Nairobi said the task ahead of restoring order, forging reconciliation and national cohesion, restoring infrastructure and reviving the economy was indeed a tall one.

At least 30 countries have recognised the Libyan rebels battling to seize power from Kadhafi who has been in power for 42 years.

Meanwhile, the African Union has called for an emergency Summit of the Peace and Security Council to meet on Friday in Addis Ababa to discuss the evolving situation in Libya.

Pana 24/08/2011