The Libyan Embassy in Dar es Salaam yesterday opted to comply with the 48 hours ultimatum given on 30 August, 2011 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation to remove the rebel-led National Transition Council (NTC) flag.
An Official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Mr. Assah Mwambene said defying the Ministry’s order would have amounted to serious violation of diplomatic practice and disrespect to the laws of the land.
The Embassy has also wrote to the Ministry yesterday to apologize for the anormally saying it would seriously comply with the government ultimatum.
He said on August 30, 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Co-operation wrote a note verbal ordering the Embassy to remove the NTC flag saying the government of Tanzania does not recognize NTC
“Besides recognition, the so called National Transition Council in Libya lacks the both the legitimacy and political power to represent the people of Libya” Mwambene noted.
On why it has taken more than five days to remove the flag, Mr. Mwambene said it was necessary to summon the Libyan Ambassador to explain why they have decided to change the flag without the permission before embarking on serious measures.
“Before rushing to take serious steps against the Embassy, the Ministry had to get views of the Ambassador before giving them an ultimatum to remove the flag. This kind of arrangement is normal in the diplomatic practice.” Mwambene noted.
Last week, the government made it clear that it does not recognize the self-proclaimed National Transition Council of Libya on ground that it was yet to get legitimacy to represent the people and the government of Libya.
One question we need to ask ourselves. If the Tanzanian Government doesn’t recognize Libyan NTC which is leading now, whom ones the Libyan Embass is representing in Tanzania for the time being?