Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




WAR REPORT
AU ministers say UN Libya move 'dangerous precedent'
by Staff Writers
United Nations (AFP) June 15, 2011


The African Union warned the UN Security Council on Wednesday that UN resolutions allowing air strikes on Libya may have set a "dangerous precedent."

African ministers attending a UN Security Council meeting on the Libya conflict called for a "humanitarian pause" in the fighting and greater efforts to reach a political solution between Moamer Kadhafi and opposition rebels.

Mauritania's Foreign Minister Hamady Ould Hamady, speaking for an AU delegation, did not directly mention the NATO strikes but highlighted African concerns about what he called the "dangerous precedent being set by the one-sided interpretations" of UN resolutions on Libya.

Highlighting what he called "the indescribable suffering inflicted upon the Libyan civilian population," the minister said: "The prolongation of these military operations in Libya poses, each day, new challenges as much for the chances of a successful democratic transition in Libya as for the security and stability of the countries in the region."

South Africa's Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had prepared a speech accusing NATO of deliberately targeting Kadhafi in the air strikes allowed by UN resolution 1973 but in the end did not make the comments which were distributed in advance of the meeting.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma did say this week that NATO had exceeded the mandate given by the resolutions.

As one of the 15 Security Council members, South Africa voted for resolution 1970 and 1973 in March which allowed the operation to protect civilians in Libya.

In the prepared comments, Nkoana-Mashabane said "our intention was never regime change nor was it the targeting of individuals as it seems to be the case with Colonel Kadhafi."

South Africa, Brazil and India have raised strong doubts about a European resolution condemning the Syrian government's clampdown, partly because of events in Libya.

In the end there was no criticism of NATO in the South African minister's speech at the closed doors meeting, diplomats said.

NATO has strongly denied that it has targeted Kadhafi. Western governments have insisted they are operating within the UN resolution allowing the protection of Libyan civilians.

"The actions of a broad coalition of partners have protected civilians, saved lives, and averted a humanitarian disaster, especially in Benghazi and Misrata," Britain's UN ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told the meeting.

"But Kadhafi continues to launch attacks against his own people. So long as he continues to do so, the coalition will take action to enforce the Security Council's resolutions." He called NATO's decision to extend its operations by 90 days from 27 June "welcome and necessary."

European governments and the United States are increasingly insistent however that they see no permanent solution to the Libya conflict while Kadhafi remains in power.

South Africa and the African Union did call for greater efforts to reach a ceasefire between Kadhafi and opposition rebels.

"We are here to make a plea for an immediate humanitarian pause, in order that the pressing needs of affected populations can be met, a pause that should be followed by a ceasefire linked to the political process," said the Mauritanian foreign minister.

.


Related Links






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








WAR REPORT
Villagers flee as Myanmar rebel clash 'spreads'
Bangkok (AFP) June 15, 2011
Deadly clashes between Myanmar troops and ethnic minority rebels near the Chinese border have spread with hundreds, possibly thousands, of people fleeing their homes, reports said Wednesday. Heavy fighting around a large hydropower project being built in northern Kachin state to provide power to China has erupted sporadically for almost a week after soldiers tried to push back Kachin Indepen ... read more


WAR REPORT
Blood Red Moon Predicted

NASA Releases New Lunar Eclipse Video

The Power of A Moon Rock

Looking at the volatile side of the Moon

WAR REPORT
Entry, descent and surface science for 2016 Mars mission

Up, Up and Away for Mars

Opportunity Heads Toward 'Spirit Point'

NASA Inspector General Report into the Management of MSL Project

WAR REPORT
Testing Spacesuits in Antarctica - part 4

Students Build Space Habitats at NASA's Johnson Space Center

Solar system edge 'bunches' in magnetic bubbles: NASA

NASA Spending Shift to Benefit Centers Focused on Science and Technology

WAR REPORT
China's second moon orbiter Chang'e-2 goes to outer space

Building harmonious outer space to achieve inclusive development

China's Fengyun-3B satellite goes into official operation

Venezuela, China to launch satellite next year

WAR REPORT
Japan astronaut tweets about space sickness

Space station puts out welcome mat

New Crew Members Arrive at ISS

Soyuz docks at ISS carrying Russian, US, Japanese astronauts

WAR REPORT
SpaceX Secures Launch Contract In Major Asian Market

SES-3 Satellite Arrives At Baikonour Launch Base

Shipments Of Sea Launch Zenit-3Sl Hardware Resume On Schedule

US Army supports student launch program

WAR REPORT
Rage Against the Dying of the Light

Second Rocky World Makes Kepler-10 a Multi-Planet System

Kepler's Astounding Haul of Multiple-Planet Systems Just Keeps Growing

Bennett team discovers new class of extrasolar planets

WAR REPORT
US computer pioneer IBM turns 100

Malaysia seals pharmaceutical company over radiation

Three in China convicted for iPad design theft

Nokia says Apple to pay royalties, ending patent disputes




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement