World Powers Line Up Behind Libya’s Provisional Government

World powers have pledged to give Libya's provisional authority billions of dollars in financial and humanitarian support. They announced the assistance plans on Thursday at the end of a Paris conference that included representatives of 60 nations and Libya's National Transitional Council . U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told delegates that the U.N. should move to ease restrictions on Libyan assets. She also said the United States had transferred $700 million of the $1.5 billion in assets that were unfrozen for Libya last week. The U.S., the Netherlands and France have vowed to unfreeze nearly $5 billion in funds withheld from Moammar Gadhafi's government as it fought rebels seeking to end his 42-year rule. Also Thursday, the European Union announced it was lifting sanctions on 28 Libyan entities, including ports, banks and energy companies. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said the meeting focused on the urgent needs and priorities presented by the NTC. He said the U.N. would deploy a civilian mission to Libya as soon as possible. British Prime Minister David Cameron said NATO would continue its operations in Libya for as long as needed. He also urged the country's provisional leaders to pursue an inclusive, democratic transition. NTC leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil pledged to pursue stability and security. Meanwhile, Mr. Gadhafi delivered a defiant message from an undisclosed location. He said his forces would not surrender and would ultimately be rewarded with victory. His audio statement was carried by Arabic television stations. Libya's provisional authorities on Thursday gave pro-Gadhafi fighters in his hometown of Sirte an additional week to surrender. The NTC originally set a Saturday deadline and said it would resort to military action if the deadline was not met. But NTC officials said there has been progress in negotiations with holdouts in Sirte.