S. Korea steps up diplomatic efforts for Libyan rebels

By Kim Deok-hyun SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is reinforcing its diplomatic efforts to help support the opposition military forces in Libya as the regime of Moammar Gadhafi is on the verge of collapse, officials said Tuesday. The stepped-up efforts for Libyan rebels, who took control of most of Tripoli this week and are planning for a post-Gadhafi government, are aimed at securing the safety of Korean nationals and property there, officials at Seoul's foreign ministry said. Joining an international campaign for the cash-strapped rebels, the Seoul government said Monday it will provide up to US$1 million to the rebel Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC). The pledge for cash aid came at the request of the NTC, nearly two months after the ministry officials met rebel leaders for the first time in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. "From now on, we will expand our direct support and assistance for the NTC," a senior ministry official said on the condition of anonymity. Next month, South Korea plans to take part in a meeting of the international Contact Group on Libya to discuss with other world nations about additional assistance for the Libyan rebels. The fifth meeting of the Contact Group on Libya will be held in New York in the wake of the U.N. General Assembly in September, the official said. South Korea joined the group in July. "Currently, all parties involved in the group are reviewing various measures to support the NTC," the official said. Thirty-two nations and seven international organizations, including the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, are members of the group, which was established with the aim of coordinating international efforts to map out Libya's future.