U.S. envoy in Benghazi to size up Libya rebels
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration's envoy to the Libyan opposition is in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi for talks with those leading the revolt against Muammar Qaddafi, a U.S. official said Tuesday.
The envoy, Chris Stevens, is meeting with members of Libya's Transitional National Council to get a better idea of who they are, what they want and what their needs and capabilities are, the official said. His visit could pave the way for U.S. recognition of the council as Libya's legitimate government although no decision is imminent, the official said.
Stevens was the No. 2 at the U.S. embassy in Tripoli until the mission was shuttered in February amid escalating violence. He will be discussing humanitarian and possible financial assistance to the opposition, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending an announcement of the visit by the White House on Tuesday.
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Three countries, including NATO allies France and Italy, along with Qatar, have recognized the transitional council as the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people but the United States has yet to follow suit. The U.S. has also not made a decision on whether to arm the rebels.
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Stevens will be encouraging the opposition to make their plans clear and commit to respecting and protecting human rights, the official said. The administration has thus far welcomed pro-democracy pledges from the transitional council and praised their attempts to include a wide cross-section of Libyan society in their ranks.
The official said the U.S. recognizes the financial needs of the council and will be talking with its members about how the international community can assist. Some have argued that the U.S. should free up some of the more than $30 billion in Libyan assets that it has frozen to help the opposition.
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Meanwhile, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday the service has been spending about $4 million a day to keep 50 fighter jets and nearly 40 support aircraft in the Libya conflict, including the cost of munitions.
Secretary Michael Donley told reporters that the Air Force has spent $75 million as of Tuesday morning on the war. He said the U.S. decision to end its combat strike role in the conflict will cut costs, but he could not say by how much.
He said the Air Force has spent close to $50 million on the relief effort for the Japan earthquake, including $40 million to evacuate between 5,000-6,000 U.S. personnel. The total U.S. costs for the Libya air campaign as of March 28 were $550 million, not counting normal deployment spending.
