Minister assures Libyan assets safe

Libyan assets in Kenya are safe, the government has said.

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula said the property would be protected and transferred to the new government yet to be formed.

Speaking after meeting US ambassador Jonathan Scott Gration on Thursday, Mr Wetang’ula said the property would be treated as sovereign investment.

“This will naturally translate to the new legitimate Libyan authorities,” he said.

Some of the Libyan assets in Kenya are Oil Libya and Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi.

At the same time, the ministry’s political and diplomatic secretary, Mr Patrick Wamoto, said the Sunday attack on embassy premises in Tripoli was not politically motivated.

“We will not read much into the attack because the entire neighbourhood hosting other countries was destroyed as well. There has been no policing going on there and it is obvious that the rebels raided the exclusive residential area not for political reasons,” Mr Wamoto said.

On Sunday, gunmen invaded and ransacked the chancery and assaulted a woman employee.

Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka confirmed the attacks and said they were motivated by general lawlessness in Tripoli.

This occurred as Kenya said it did not recognise the rebels fighting Mr Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists.

The government said it had not recognised National Transitional Council (NTC), the political wing of the rebels who have literally flushed deposed Gaddafi out of Tripoli.

Mr Wetang’ula said only political dialogue between the warring parties could resolve the crisis in Libya.

Future prospects

“Kenya has not recognised the NTC. Considering prevailing circumstances and future prospects of peace in Libya, we advocate for political dialogue.

“Only a political solution will resolve the situation and restore peace, democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and reconciliation,” he said.

The two were discussing the African Union engagement in Libya.

Last week, Internal Security minister George Saitoti, who was acting for Mr Wetang’ula, said Kenya was willing to work with the NTC to restore order in the country.

Prof Saitoti said Kenya would help initiate reconciliation and national cohesion, restoring infrastructure and reviving the economy.

“Kenya stands ready to work with the people of Libya, the African Union and the international community to help build a new Libya,” the minister said.

He had asked the interim authorities to establish political dialogue with the AU and international community.