Albania Seeks Kosovo Recognition from Libya’s NTC

Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto has asked the head of Libya’s National Transitional Council, Muhammad Jibril, to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, when the government is formed in Tripoli.

Besar Likmeta

Tirana

Lybians in Benghazi celebrate the fall of Tripoli | Photo by : Fonet

Haxhinasto and Jibril met on Friday on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Since Kosovo declared independence in 2008, the United States and 22 of the 27 EU member countries have recognised the former Serbian province. But Serbia, supported by Russia, has firmly rejected the move and some powerful countries, including China, have also not recognised it.

Five EU member states, Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Greece and Romania, are all firmly opposed to recognition.

In July, Albania recognized Libya’s main opposition group, the National Transitional Council, as the country’s legitimate government. It also backed the UN-mandated no-fly zone designed to protect Libyan civilians.

Ousted Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi had strong ties to Serbia dating back to the non-aligned movement and his studies in ex-Yugoslavia and had refused to recognize Kosovo’s declaration of independence.