Houda Mzioudet

TRIPOLI — Libya has officially recognized the state of Kosovo. The announcement was made Thursday by Prime Minister Ali Zidan during his meeting in New York with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci on the sidelines of the 68th UN General Assembly.



Prime Minister Zidan said that both countries would have diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level. However, he said that “the recognition of Kosovo will not prejudice Libya’s close ties with the Republic of Serbia.”



Libya wanted  to further strengthen relations with Belgrade, he said.



Zidan also highlighted the “the spirit of Islamic brotherhood between Libya and Kosovo,” pointing to the “political developments in the Balkan region, that gave people of Kosovo the right to self-determination”.



From his part, Thaçi expressed his “gratitude and appreciation to the government and people (of Libya) on their support and assistance of Kosovo by this recognition.



Libya is the 107th country to recognize Kosovo, which  declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008. — Libya Herald