The Libyan embassy in Bern has thrown its support behind the popular uprising in Libya and declared it will represent the country’s National Transitional Council.
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In a statement on Friday provided to swissinfo.ch, the embassy said it had cut all ties with Moammar Gaddafi’s regime. The embassy said Gaddafi’s use of violence, torture and paid mercenaries against the Libyan people had led to its decision.
“The members of the embassy no longer have any link to the regime of Moammar Gaddafi, and call on all countries to follow the example set by the Republic of France in recognising the National Transitional Council which represents the interests of the Libyan people,” embassy staff said.
The move by the embassy follows the refusal last week of a Libyan diplomat to take up a position as Gaddafi’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
According to an embassy diplomat, the Swiss foreign ministry has been informed of the decision.
The diplomat pointed out the two Libyan representations in Switzerland, the embassy in Bern and the mission to the United Nations in Geneva, had now both rejected Gaddafi’s rule.
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