LONDON, July 18 (UPI) -- Members of the existing regime in Libya could play a role in any interim government that follows Moammar Gadhafi's departure, London said.
Turkey last week hosted the fourth meeting of an international contact group for Libya. Delegates at the meeting, including those from London and Washington, recognized the rebel-backed Transitional National Council as the legitimate leadership in Libya.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague during an interview with the BBC following the Istanbul meeting said the TNC was interested in ushering in a new government in Tripoli through national elections.
"This is a national council that intends to hold elections, to assemble an interim government once Gadhafi has gone, including the technocratic members of the existing regime, and to make sure that there is in every sense, in our sense, a legitimate governing authority," he said.
NATO forces are enforcing a U.N.-mandated no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Gadhafi, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed since February.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said following talks with members of the TNC in Istanbul that the rebel-backed leadership was serious about its commitment to a democratic government in Libya.
Rasmussen added he was "impressed" with the TNC's respect for the rule of law.
