Tripoli: Western and Arab countries involved in the Libya campaign have pledged money to a new funding mechanism for the rebels, stepping up international pressure on Col Gaddafi’s regime. Italy is sending $586m (400m euros; £360m), France $420m, and Kuwait $180m.
The Libyan rebels have said they need $3bn over the next four months.
The pledges came at a meeting of the Contact Group on Libya in Abu Dhabi. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Col Gaddafi’s days were “numbered”.
“As time passes, maintaining our resolve and unity only grows more important,” she told the meeting of the Contact Group – which includes Britain, France and the US, as well as Arab allies Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar – convened to prepare for the post-Gaddafi era.
Clinton added: “Alongside our military mission to protect the Libyan people, we must continue to escalate the political, diplomatic and financial pressure on Gaddafi and his regime.
“Time is on our side – but we know we must sustain the pressure.”
The temporary mechanism to transfer funds to the Libyan rebels is now operational, officials at the meeting said.
Representatives for Libya’s rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) transitional council say it needs cash urgently to pay for salaries and food supplies.
Italy said it would give the rebels up to $586m (400m euros; £360m) in cash and fuel aid backed by frozen Libyan assets.
France said it would release $420m (290m euros; £257m) of frozen Libyan funds.
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