BERLIN, July 24 (UPI) -- Germany has agreed to a major loan to Libya's rebels, but only for humanitarian and civilian purposes, the government said Sunday.
The 100 million Euro ($144 million) loan is a follow-up to a smaller loan made earlier to the Transitional National Council, the rebel group seeking to oust Moammar Gadhafi.
"Because of Col. Gadhafi's war against his own people, the situation in Libya is very difficult," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a written statement. "There is a major lack of funds to build infrastructure, as well as a shortage of needed goods, ranging from medical supplies to food."
CNN said Germany has not taken a direct role in NATO's military support of the rebels; however, German officials recently increased their resources in Afghanistan in order to free up more assets from other nations for the Libya mission.
