Libya\'s new leaders meet Cameron, Sarkozy

Mahmoud Jalil, held a joint press conference with Nicolas Sarkozy and  David Cameron at ‘Cornithia’ hotel in Tripoli The chief of Libya’s National Transitional Council, Mahmoud Jalil, held a joint press conference with French President, Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister, David Cameron at ‘Cornithia’ hotel in Tripoli today. Correspondents reported the hotel was cordoned off from before dawn in a massive security operation assisted by French police officers
Britain\'s David Cameron and France\'s Nicolas Sarkozy, whose forces spearheaded the NATO campaign that helped topple Moamer Kadhafi, vowed more support for Libya as they became the first foreign leaders to visit the new Libya. The two men flew in separately to Tripoli\'s Metiga airport for a lightning visit to the Libyan capital which was captured from Kadhafi\'s forces only a few weeks ago. The number two in the National Transitional Council, Mahmud Jibril, welcomed them at the airport from where they were taken by helicopter to the Tripoli Medical Centre where they were given a heroes\' welcome for their role in ending the fugitive strongman\'s 42 years of iron-fisted rule.
Jubilant crowds of medical staff thronged forward to shake the two leaders\' hands, chanting: \"Thank you, thank you\", as they toured three of the hospital\'s wards. When asked if he was pleased by the reception, the French president told reporters: \"It\'s not about being pleased. It\'s extremely moving to see young Arabs turn towards these two great Western countries to say: \'Thank you\'.  
\"This proves that conflict between the West and the Middle East is by no means an inevitability,\" Sarkozy added.
In the orthopaedic ward, the two leaders spoke to rebel fighters and Libyans injured in the battle for Tripoli, as well as patients recovering from torture in Gaddafi\'s prison cells. Dr Mahmud Abu Hafez told the British prime minister that all of Tripoli\'s hospitals were swamped with casualties as the fighting raged but the situation now was \"fairly safe\".
\"We have many victims of sniper bullets and some hit by anti-aircraft guns,\" said Dr Hafez.
\"We have the doctors, nurses and medicines here for primary care and surgery but we have many amputations of legs and arms, and these people will need to go abroad for rehabilitation, artificial limbs and psychological assessment.\"
Cameron was expected to announced that up to 50 places would be provided at British hospitals for Libyans needing advanced surgery, prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation for severe injuries.
He was also expected to announce 600,000 pounds (950,000 dollars) in British aid for mine clearance and the deployment of a military liaison team to help the new authorities locate, secure and disable Manpad shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles. From the hospital, the two leaders went to the capital\'s Corinthia Hotel for private talks with Jibril and Libya\'s interim leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil.
Earlier, Jalil met the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, in the first official American visit to Tripoli since its liberation.
Feltman confirmed the US’s commitment to working with NATO to continue military operations to protect Libyan civilians.
He said that Washington is believes that the NTC is capable of gaining full control over Libya.
Feltman also announced the US’s intention to re-open the US Embassy in Tripoli at the earliest possible opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman has announced China’s support for the National Transitional Authority’s seat at the United Nations.
China officially recognised the Transitional Council last Monday as the legitimate government of Libya.
The African Union has expressed fear of the spread of weapons in the region as a result of the Libyan situation, and highlighted the need for a national unity government in Libya.
Although twenty African countries have recognised the NTC, the African Union is yet to take the step.