South Africa agrees to release Libyan assets, but does not recognize the PNS

South Africa announced today that it has agreed to release Libyan assets, but does not recognize the rebel Transitional National Council as the government of Libya.

South Africa changed its position, guided by the "concern the humanitarian situation in Libya, caused by the ongoing civil war and the NATO military campaign," said a Foreign Ministry statement released here in South Africa. "We are fully aware of the humanitarian needs of the Libyans and the urgent need to alleviate their suffering" - the document says.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that South Africa agreed to release Libyan assets does not imply recognition PNS. Pretoria withdrew its objection to the resolution only after the U.S. removed from it any mention of the PNS. UN also does not recognize the PNS. "South Africa supports the position of the African Union, speaking for a comprehensive peaceful political solution Libyan crisis and rejects any pretensions regime change" - said the Foreign Ministry. Today in Addis Ababa is going to Peace and Security Council speaker to make a decision on the situation in Libya.

Recall, last night the UN Security Council adopted a decision on unfreezing $ 1.5 billion of assets in U.S. banks Libya. It is about the cost of these programs the UN, electricity bills, medical services, education and food prices.