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Tripoli port and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s compound.
“We are here for the long term,” Ashton told a Press conference at the Tibesti Hotel where the European Union mission was opened and where she met Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of the rebels’ National Transitional Council.
The opening of an EU office to represent the 27-member bloc coupled with the vow of long-term support came as a boost for the rebels lobbying world powers to formally recognise the NTC.
Ashton called on Gaddafi, who has been at the helm of the north African nation for 41 years, to step down.
“Gaddafi must leave and we must have a future for Libya which belongs to the people of Libya,” she said.
“I am here today to explain and be clear about the depth and breadth of our support in the European Union for the people of Libya,” in the fields of economy, health and education namely, Ashton said, .
“The people of Libya have spoken about the future they want. I am here on behalf of all the 27 countries of the European Union to offer our support to that future,” she added.
In an earlier statement issued by her office, Ashton said it was an “honour to meet the people who have been fighting for democracy and a better future for Libya.”
The European parliament has long argued for recognition of the NTC, which so far has been recognised by France, Italy, Qatar and Gambia, but Ashton stressed it was up to the Libyan people to decide who represents them in future.
She said the EU recognises the council as an interlocutor.
“They are people with whom we have a strong dialogue. It’s for the people of Libya to determine the government of Libya.”
Ashton said “protecting the civilians of Libya is fundamental” and vowed the EU would assist the rebels on border management, which is of critical concern due to the violence on the mountain ranges near the border with Tunisia.
“Too many people have died already,” she said.
Just hours ahead of Ashton’s visit, NATO-led warplanes struck Tripoli port and Gaddafi’s immense compound of Bab al-Aziziya near the capital.
“There were two raids on the port and Bab al-Aziziya”, the residence of Gadaffi which has already been targeted several times, a Libyan regime official said about the strikes early yesterday.
An AFP journalist heard two explosions just past midnight and a fighter plane flying over Tripoli at low altitude, indicating NATO’s sustained air campaign against Gaddafi forces.
International correspondents were taken to Gaddafi’s residence in a regime-chartered bus, but were unable to access the compound.
On Saturday, the Western military alliance struck one “naval asset in Sirte” – Gaddafi’s hometown – apart from some other military targets, NATO said in a statement.
NATO took command of the air campaign on March 30 from French, US and British forces, who under a UN mandate launched air strikes on Gaddafi forces after they began to crush a revolt against the strongman’s more than 40-year rule. – AFP.