TRIPOLI, Libya, APRIL 5, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The apostolic vicar of Tripoli is lauding the recent mediation efforts of Turkey in the attempt to achieve a ceasefire in Libya.
Libya is currently engaged in a civil war between supporters of Moammar Gadhafi, the country’s ruler for 41 years, and those calling for new leadership, organized in a coalition called the Transitional National Council.
As of Monday, 11 of the country’s 22 districts were under government control, and six under rebel control. The other five were contested.
Tripoli remains the center of Gadhafi’s government, while Benghazi is the headquarters of the rebel forces.
The casualty reports have been difficult to corroborate, and the estimated total death count ranges from 2,500 to 10,500.
Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkey’s minister of foreign affairs, met with Abdelati Laabidi, Libya’s deputy foreign minister, on Monday in Ankara, Turkey, to discuss a ceasefire.
Finding a solution
Bishop Giovanni Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Tripoli, told Fides, «It seems to me that Turkey has taken a good position in the Libyan crisis.»
He continued: «If we want to find a solution to the crisis in this country, we need to consider the reasons by one and all.
«The wrongs are not only on one side.»
«The regime also still has a degree of consensus,» the prelate reported. «The Libyan radio continues to spread news of protests supporting Gadhafi from all over the world.»
He noted that regarding reports of «Africans found dead on the beaches of Libya, we have personally only seen a dozen bodies, beyond recognition because they are bloated and swollen.»
«Probably they had been in the water for some time,» the bishop observed.
He continued: «The figure I had previously reported (68 bodies) was information I had been given. But I personally can only confirm the presence of ten bodies.
«I was told that more bodies were recovered on a beach in Garbuli.»
