Libya warns of diplomatic row if Pak fails to recognise NTC-led administration

Islamabad, Sept 15(ANI): Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) will not revalidate residential visas of Pakistani diplomats in Tripoli, if Islamabad does not recognise the new administration soon, according to a newspaper report attributed to official sources.

The Libyan Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani charge d'affaires in Tripoli to inform him of the decision, The Express Tribune reports.

According to the NTC, Tripoli will not revalidate residential visas issued by former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi to the diplomats of all those countries that do not recognise the new Libyan authority as a legitimate representative of the people.

However, despite a recommendation by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry in favour of NTC, the Pakistan Government has decided to delay recognising the new Libyan administration, the paper quoted another official source, as saying.

The ministry has been asked by its high-ups to "wait and see" the Libyan situation for another couple of days, the source said.

"It has been decided by the top leaders not to recognise the rebel-led NTC till the absconding Libyan leader Col Qaddafi is holding the gun," the source added.

However, at the same time, Pakistan also chose to ignore the Libyan ambassador's decision to hoist the rebel flag of Libya in Islamabad without prior permission from the government.

Although Pakistan has reservations against the hoisting of the new tri-coloured national flag of Libya in Islamabad, it will not initiate any proceedings against the envoy, the paper said, attributing to its 'official source'.

So far, 75 countries have recognised the NTC, while Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Central Asian States and Pakistan are yet to follow suit.

Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that Pakistan would take its decision on the issue at an appropriate time.

"We should keep in mind that many friendly countries of Pakistan and its neighbouring nations have not recognised the NTC-led administration in Tripoli so far," Babar said. (ANI)