GENEVA, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Eastern Libya's foreign ministersaid on Wednesday that his government, parallel to theinternationally-recognised administration in Tripoli, could notforce eastern tribesmen to lift an oil blockade that he said wasa "popular decision".
"We cannot use our power to lift the blockade," AbdulhadiLahweej told journalists in Geneva, alleging that the Tripoligovernment was using revenues from oil to pay for mercenaries.
He also reiterated that his side would not participate inpolitical talks due to begin in Geneva on Wednesday, sayingthere was no agreement with the U.N. mission on the compositionof their delegation.
(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Hugh Lawson) ((emma.farge@thomsonreuters.com; +41583062160;))
