2/21/2011 UK's Hague calls for investigation into events in Libya
BRUSSELS, Foreign Ministers of the 27-member European Union began here Monday heir formal, monthly meeting condemning the violent repression of anti-government protests in Libya and calling for an end to the use of force.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague told reporters as he arrived for the meeting that he "is gravely concerned about the situation in Libya "and said that the Foreign Office in London summoned the Libyan ambassador today to express condemnation of the use of lethal force.
"Britain is calling today for an end to violence," he said.
Hague said there should be access to international human rights monitors to Libya as soon as the situation allows and the opening up of internet and an end to harassment of journalists.
He also called for investigation to take place into what has happened in Benghazi and other locations in the East of Libya and for a commitment to hold to account those who have responsible for what has happened.
"The credibility of the Libyan government has been undermined by the failure to protect their own people and to respond to the legitimate grievances of people in Libya," said Hague.
Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, said "we are actually very concerned with events and condemn very clearly the repression that is on going (in Libya)."
BRUSSELS, Foreign Ministers of the 27-member European Union began here Monday heir formal, monthly meeting condemning the violent repression of anti-government protests in Libya and calling for an end to the use of force.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague told reporters as he arrived for the meeting that he "is gravely concerned about the situation in Libya "and said that the Foreign Office in London summoned the Libyan ambassador today to express condemnation of the use of lethal force.
"Britain is calling today for an end to violence," he said.
Hague said there should be access to international human rights monitors to Libya as soon as the situation allows and the opening up of internet and an end to harassment of journalists.
He also called for investigation to take place into what has happened in Benghazi and other locations in the East of Libya and for a commitment to hold to account those who have responsible for what has happened.
"The credibility of the Libyan government has been undermined by the failure to protect their own people and to respond to the legitimate grievances of people in Libya," said Hague.
Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, said "we are actually very concerned with events and condemn very clearly the repression that is on going (in Libya)."
"But then we are looking beyond what is happening today. It is a long term challenge of development of reform of economic growth in that entire part of North Africa and Middle East," he said.
Finnish foreign minister Alexander Stubb told reporters that "we condemn the violence in Libya but at the same time it is not our job to change the leader in Libya." Stubb said Europe has three interests in the region.
Our interest in North Africa is to avoid migratory flows, second is the Middle East Peace Process to maintain peace, and the third is our economic interest in the Gulf states.
Stubb said today's meeting will also will be looking at economic packages for Egypt and Tunisia.
Luxembourg foreign minister Jean Asselborn said the important focus of today's meeting will be on Libya.
Two countries will be very much affected by the migratory flows from North Africa, Italy and Malta he said.
"The regime of Gaddafi should stop shooting its people. We here in Brussels will do everything to tell the people in the Arab world that we understand them, that Islam cannot be equalled with non-democracy," said Asselborn.
Responding to threats by Libya to cancel an agreement with the EU on migration, Asselborn said we cannot be blackmailed.
Commenting on the freezing of assets of some senior Egyptian officials, the Luxembourg minister said they have received a list of 7 or 8 people from Egypt.
"Any list which comes from Egypt it will get a positive reaction from Europe," he added.
On his part, Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini said called a comprehensive European action plan for Mediterranean and the Middle East.
"Libya is a matter of serious concern. Libya should start urgently a process of national reconciliation," he said.
Frattini said "I am extremely concerned about the self-proclamation of the so-called Islamic emirate of Benghazi. Would you imagine of an Islamic Arab emirate at the borders of Europe.
This would be serious threat," but he added that Europe shouldn't intervene and interfere and not export our democracy "We Europeans are very concerned about the migratory flows.
Stubb said today's meeting will also will be looking at economic packages for Egypt and Tunisia.
Luxembourg foreign minister Jean Asselborn said the important focus of today's meeting will be on Libya.
Two countries will be very much affected by the migratory flows from North Africa, Italy and Malta he said.
"The regime of Gaddafi should stop shooting its people. We here in Brussels will do everything to tell the people in the Arab world that we understand them, that Islam cannot be equalled with non-democracy," said Asselborn.
Responding to threats by Libya to cancel an agreement with the EU on migration, Asselborn said we cannot be blackmailed.
Commenting on the freezing of assets of some senior Egyptian officials, the Luxembourg minister said they have received a list of 7 or 8 people from Egypt.
"Any list which comes from Egypt it will get a positive reaction from Europe," he added.
On his part, Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini said called a comprehensive European action plan for Mediterranean and the Middle East.
"Libya is a matter of serious concern. Libya should start urgently a process of national reconciliation," he said.
Frattini said "I am extremely concerned about the self-proclamation of the so-called Islamic emirate of Benghazi. Would you imagine of an Islamic Arab emirate at the borders of Europe.
This would be serious threat," but he added that Europe shouldn't intervene and interfere and not export our democracy "We Europeans are very concerned about the migratory flows.
We have to mobilise European funds because if you tolerate economies in these countries to collapse we will pay the price," he added.
Following the foreign affairs council meeting, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will begin a two-day official visit to Egypt Monday night.
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2/21/2011
European Parliament President condemns use of brutal force in Libya
BRUSSELS, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek today urged the authorities in Libya to halt all violence against the demonstrators. "We deplore the loss of life in Libya. We condemn the brutal use of force. We call for an immediate lifting of the "information blockade".
The Libyan authorities must stop blocking access to the Internet and mobile phone networks," he said in a statement.
"Those who carry out atrocities must know that they will be brought to justice and that they are responsible for their actions before the Libyan people. The people in Tunisia, Egypt Bahrain and now in Libya are asking for change. The people are no longer paralysed by fear; they have rediscovered a sense of solidarity, civic responsibility and historical duty. It is the will of the people that is changing the reality on the ground," said Buzek.
The demonstrations are so large because they unite Libyans around a common cause: standing up for human dignity. We, the elected representatives of the European people, will defend this dignity wherever we can," he added.
European Parliament President condemns use of brutal force in Libya
BRUSSELS, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek today urged the authorities in Libya to halt all violence against the demonstrators. "We deplore the loss of life in Libya. We condemn the brutal use of force. We call for an immediate lifting of the "information blockade".
The Libyan authorities must stop blocking access to the Internet and mobile phone networks," he said in a statement.
"Those who carry out atrocities must know that they will be brought to justice and that they are responsible for their actions before the Libyan people. The people in Tunisia, Egypt Bahrain and now in Libya are asking for change. The people are no longer paralysed by fear; they have rediscovered a sense of solidarity, civic responsibility and historical duty. It is the will of the people that is changing the reality on the ground," said Buzek.
The demonstrations are so large because they unite Libyans around a common cause: standing up for human dignity. We, the elected representatives of the European people, will defend this dignity wherever we can," he added.
