Libyan rebels fight to win recognition

The rebel forces that are fighting Col. Moammar Gadhafi
in Libya have set up an office in Washington to win recognition for their
government.

The Transitional National Council of Libya filed a
registration form this week with the Justice Department’s Foreign Agent
Registration Unit to conduct political activities in Washington. 

{mosads}The office “will advocate for the interests of the
Transitional National Council of Libya and the Libyan people to agencies or
officials of the Government of the United States,” according to Justice
records.

The filing says Ali Aujali will be representing the
opposition group as the council’s ambassador and official representative to the
United States.

Aujali resigned as Libya’s ambassador to the U.S. last month
after Gadhafi tried to quell the rebel uprising. 

Aujali has been making the rounds in Washington to push the
Obama administration to become a “major player” in the Libya conflict by
formally recognizing the opposition government. 

Other governments such as France, Italy and Qatar have
already granted recognition to the Transitional National Council, of which
Aujali is a member.

Aujali says formal recognition by the U.S. would give the
council the legitimacy it needs to be granted control of Gadhafi’s frozen
assets, which amount to billions of dollars. 

The filing says the office’s advocacy efforts will include “meetings
with U.S. government officials, members of Congress, scholars, policy makers,
and other individuals and organizations.”

“Activities will also include speaking engagements hosted by
members of Congress, academic institutions, and other organizations, as well as
media appearances,” the filing said.

The opposition government in Benghazi, Libya, has also
signed up a well-connected D.C. public relations firm to help them get their
message out. 

The Harbour Group will be working with Aujali on a pro-bono
basis to implement a public diplomacy program, according to Justice
Department records. 

Richard Mintz, Harbour’s managing director, told The Hill in
a recent interview that helping the council was “the right thing to do.”

“They need help and we are pleased that we are able to do
that. It is in the U.S.’s interest, in the world’s interest,” Mintz said.

Kevin Bogardus and John T. Bennett contributed.