by Mohamed Cherif, swissinfo.ch

Libyan Human Rights Solidarity, which is based in Geneva, is working in conflict-torn Libya to promote human rights and rebuild institutions.

The non-governmental organisation’s secretary general, Khaled Saleh, spoke to swissinfo.ch shortly after his return from the rebel-held eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, where he also met Swiss aid representatives.

Libyans are expecting a lot from Switzerland, especially regarding benefiting from its experience in building democratic institutions and civil society organisations, said Saleh.

Opposition fighters, whose Benghazi-based National Transitional Council (NTC) is considered by many nations the sole government authority, have been battling Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi’s forces for around six months. It is reported that the rebels are now making progress towards the Gaddafi stronghold of Tripoli, in the west.

“As an organisation, we saw that it was important to be present and to work inside Libya in order to promote the culture of human rights on the largest scale,” Saleh said. READ MORE

NOTE:

SWISS IN BENGHAZI

Switzerland was one of the first countries in Benghazi, opening a Swiss Humanitarian Aid programme office there in March.

On July 11 the country said it would send a diplomat to Benghazi to open a liaison office within the premises of the aid office. The envoy is tasked with strengthening Switzerland’s presence in the city and boosting political relations with the National Transitional Council.

“Until such time as a legally elected government is in place, the NTC is the sole legitimate partner for contact between Switzerland and Libya,” said the foreign ministry in a statement.

Swiss President and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey had previously met NTC representatives in Bern and Tunis. The Swiss embassy in Tripoli has been shut since February 27 for security reasons.