Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Russia Warns Against New UN Resolution on Libya

Russia says it will not support a new United Nations Security Council resolution on Libya which may further escalate the conflict.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted by Interfax news agency saying Moscow will not be able to support any resolution that leads to a further escalation of a civil war by any means, including outside intervention.

Last month, Russia abstained from voting on a resolution authorizing force to protect civilians in Libya by enforcing a no-fly zone in the country.

On Monday, Libyan state television says NATO warplanes bombed civilian and military targets in the capital, Tripoli, and in Bir al-Ghanam, located 100 kilometers southwest of Tripoli.

One of the airstrikes destroyed a building in the complex where leader longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi lives. NATO says it targeted a communications headquarters used to coordinate attacks against civilians.

Monday's attack came as fighting continued in the western rebel-held city of Misrata, where Gadhafi's forces unleashed a new artillery bombardment which left at least 10 people dead.

­­­­­­Also Monday, Italy said for the first time it will begin bombing selected military targets in Libya. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he told U.S. President Barack Obama about the decision and would call other European leaders to personally inform them as well.

Italy previously said it would not participate in airstrikes against its former colony. The two countries have close economic ties and Rome had been one of Gadhafi's closest European allies until his violent suppression of an uprising prompted the U.N. Security Council to authorize the use of force to protect civilians.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will hold talks on the Libyan conflict in Washington Tuesday with his British counterpart, Liam Fox.

The Financial Times, quoting a senior British official, says one agenda item will be whether action can be taken to cut fuel supplies to the Libyan leader’s armed forces on the ground.