Ashton Says 80 Percent of Tripoli Controlled by Rebels

European Union’s foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton said on Tuesday that 80 percent of Libya’s capital, Tripoli was under the control of rebel leaders and that the rebel council was seeking international aid to create a new democratic structure.

"I think that we all recognize that there have been dramatic events that are unfolding currently in Tripoli. I have just spoken to TNC chairman Abdel Jalil who tells me that 80 percent of Tripoli is controlled by the National Transitional Council but that he anticipates it will take a little while for that to move further forward," Ashton told a news briefing in Brussels.

The Council said they require international assistance in setting up and preparing for the country’s first election post Muammar Qaddafi.

”Mr. Jalil was very quick to say that he wanted to see electoral observation missions, they wanted support as they move towards elections and democracy, they wanted help with the building of political parties," Ashton said.

On the same day French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke to US President Barack Obama and agreed that Qaddafi's rule is nearing an end.
The Libyan rebels will continue to receive military support from France and Britain until Qaddafi's forces surrender. France and Britain are expected to hold a conference in Paris to raise international support for the rebuilding of the North African country that was under Qaddafi’s rule for four decades.