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“The position of the Federal Government to back the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya has been vindicated,’’ Mr Damian Agwu, spokesperson, for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in Abuja on Friday.
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Commenting on the death of Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday in his hometown of Sirte, Agwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the recognition of the NTC by Nigeria’s position also showed foresight.
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“The recognition of the Transitional National Government was greeted with criticisms, especially from the media.
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“But what happened yesterday (the capture and killing of Gaddafi), shows wisdom and foresight on the part of the Federal Government.
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He added that the decision of the Federal Government to back the NTC of Libya stood on the provisions of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
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“This just comes to show that Nigeria’s foreign policy is not out of place.
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“We took the lead in backing the NTC based on the provisions of our foreign policy, and other countries followed.
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“You can see the NTC has been recognised by world bodies like the UN. We don’t just make foreign policies and not act on them.
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NAN recalls that in August, Nigeria announced its recognition of Libya’s National Transitional Council, in line with the new foreign policy focus to support the consolidation of democracy in Africa.
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NAN also recalls that Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Nigeria was supporting “the process that will allow Libyans to decide the future of their country’’.
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The African Union in September recognised Libya's National Transitional Council as the official representative of the Libyan people.
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NAN reports that some world leaders and institutions have reacted to the death of Gaddafi, whose demise ends his more than 40 year-rule of Libya.