The U.S. State Department has annouced that Turkey will serve as Protecting Power in Libya for U.S. interests. Under international law, a Protecting Power is a State who acts to protect the interests of another State within a third State. This role is specifically recognized in international treaties such as the Geneva Conventions on the Laws of War and the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Reations. Already, the United States has expressed its gratitude to Turkey for assisting in getting four New York Times journalists out of Libya last week.
(cgb)