(Image source: CNN)

BY NEWSY STAFF

ANCHOR BLAKE HANSON

You're watching multisource world video news analysis from Newsy. 

Representatives of some 60 countries and 10 international organizations came together in Paris to take part in the Friends of Libya conference. CNN has an excerpt from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statement from Paris.

“The international community will be watching and supporting Libya’s leaders as they keep their commitments to conduct an inclusive transition, act under the rule of law, and protect vulnerable populations.”

Count Russia into Libya’s new circle of friends-- the country now recognizes Libya’s interim government--only weeks after it announced disapproval of the country’s domestic turmoil. The Washington Post explains.

“While the United States and many European countries abandoned Gadhafi and recognized the rebels months ago, Russia was among those sharply critical of NATO’s military campaign in Libya. But it had given a boost to the meeting by recognizing the rebels as Libya’s interim leadership hours before the talks started.”

Outside the circle is China, which has yet to formally recognize Libya’s National Transitional Council. But that doesn’t mean the country is not in contact with Libya’s new government China’s foreign ministry spokesman told Voice of America:

“He says China has maintained contacts with the NTC and will continue the contacts so that bilateral relations move forward in what he described as ‘a sound manner.’ … [L]ast year, [China] received about three percent of its imported crude from Libya.”

But are Libya’s new friends sticking around for the right reasons? This week, two European and three American oil and gas companies are now back to Libya working on restarting production. Russia’s ambassador claims NATO had ulterior motives...

“...the underlying reason for NATO's intervention in Libya was access to Libyan oil.” (CBS)

And the state-owned ChinaDaily shares that sentiment.

“From multinational oil conglomerates to smaller companies in these NATO countries, war-torn Libya is simply a golden opportunity for profit.”

But on euronews, the EU’s foreign policy chief says Libya’s international friends can help fix the country’s most damaged item  -- its economy.

“Support not just to ensure the sanctions of course are removed and the assets unfrozen, to support the economy back into full activity.  And that also means looking at the return of workers who have left, who have been a key part of that economy.”

Transcript by Newsy.