US envoy in Libya to hold talks with opposition

A senior US diplomat has arrived in the rebel-controlled Benghazi to hold talks with the Libyan opposition and meet members of the Transitional National Council.

"Our representative (Chris Stevens) has arrived in Benghazi and he's meeting with members of the Transitional National Council. So he did arrive," Mark Toner, State Department spokesman told reporters.

However, the US so far has not taken any decision on recognising the Transitional National Council (TNC), he said.

While in Benghazi, Stevens would discuss a number of issues, humanitarian assistance.

"We'll also talk with Transitional National Council about their democratic aspirations, their commitment to universal human rights," Toner said.

"It's partly he's trying to get to know the leadership of the TNC, talk about both what kind civil society and political structures they want to create, and also talk about what kind of practical assistance, non-lethal assistance, we can provide them,"
he said.

The US would be looking at some ways to enable them to meet some of their financial needs and how it can help to do that through the international community given the challenge of sanctions.

"But we do recognise they need funds to exist," he said in response to a question.

"He (Stevens) is on the ground, he's trying to assess the situation and what makes sense going forward. I mean, that's part of the reason we wanted to get somebody there in Benghazi, to really assess the situation," Toner said.

The US has lifted sanctions against the former Libyan Foreign Minister, Mussa Kusa, as part of a message to send to the other members of Gaddafi's regime that they should seek an exit, but also that when he was part of the regime, he was subject to these
sanctions.

"Now that he is no longer part of that regime, he is no longer subject to those specific sanctions. Nobody said he won't be held accountable for other actions he might have taken. And specifically to Lockerbie, it's really a Department of Justice
issue, but I understand that they are looking into it," he said in response to a question.