Libyan TNC vows to continue military action in Ramadan

The Libyan opposition will not agree to any cease-fire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a senior official for the Transitional National Council (TNC) said on Friday.

"Even the Prophet Mohammed fought during Ramadan. We will continue to fight for our lives," Mahmoud Shamam told journalists on the sidelines of the Libya Contact Group meeting in Istanbul.

"The most important thing today is the recognition of the TNC as the legitimate voice of the Libyan people," he said.

Shamam also said while Libya's frozen assets have been pledged to the TNC, the opposition has yet to receive anything substantial.

"No decision was reached today to allocate frozen Libyan funds to us," he said, adding that Libya's frozen assets amounted to 160 billion U.S. dollars.

"Pledges have been made that we will receive 700-800 million U. S. dollars but we require something in the region of 3 billion U.S. dollars," he said.

"The first and foremost need of the TNC is funds, funds, funds, " said Shamam.

He also said the TNC would not enter into any treaties or oil deals and would respect all current agreements for the time being. "We will wait until we have an elected government to negotiate any treaties, including oil deals," he said.

The official also dismissed threats made by Muammar Gaddafi to blow up Tripoli in the face of defeat as "empty words."

Source: Xinhua

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