THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: ROME—Italy has recognized the governing body of rebel forces opposed to the regime of Col. Moammar Gadhafi as Libya's sole "legitimate interlocutor," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Monday as Rome seeks a way to re-establish its access to Libyan oil and natural gas.
Speaking at a news conference after meeting with Ali al-Essawi, the foreign envoy of the rebel-backed Libyan National Transitional Council, Mr. Frattini said Italy planned to send an envoy to Libya in the coming days, becoming the latest Western nation to establish diplomatic relations with the council.
Rome's support is a boost to rebel forces, because Italy is Libya's largest trading partner and the biggest buyer of the North African country's oil and natural-gas supplies. Italy, which imports a quarter of its oil and 10% of its natural gas from Libya, is eager to revive Italy's access to oil production now in rebel territory.
"We have decided to recognize the council as the only political, legitimate interlocutor to represent Libya," Mr. Frattini said. He also said Italy is seeking to send medical supplies and other aid to Misrata. » | Stacy Meichtry | Monday, April 04, 2011
