3/11/2011France, Britain say Gaddafi must go, prepare UNSC text
PARIS, In a letter sent to EU President Herman Von Rompuy late Thursday, the French and British leaders have indicated they are jointly working on a new UN Security Council resolution on Libya.
Libyan leader Moammer Gaddafi "and his clique" must be leave power, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Premier David Cameron clearly indicated.
The two leaders decided to send the letter to the EU President because of the worsening situation in Libya and the growing death toll because of the conflict there.
The two leaders qualified the Libyan government as "a brutal regime" which has ignored the UN Security Council calls and which is carrying on with "unacceptable violence and repression in Libya." They sharply criticized the military operations against insurgent forces and civilians and noted that despite calls from the international community, Gaddafi "continues to attack his population, including with planes and helicopters." "It is clear for us that the regime has lost all legitimacy it might have had," the letter says.
France and Britain "are committed to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and national unity of Libya," Sarkozy and Cameron stressed.
But they added that it was up to the Libyan people, themselves, to chose who governs them and to decide on their own political system.
Both men also indicated that they welcomed the establishment of the National Council for Transition (NCT), an interim body that regroups opposition parties and is based in Benghazi.
Separately on Thursday, France said it was recognizing the NCT as the legitimate representative in Libya. Sarkozy and Cameron also pointed out that once the situation is resolved in Libya, Europe must be ready to assist that country and create stability and development there.
But they further noted that the major concern today was a security question and they proposed a seven-point approach, headed by the necessary departure of Gaddafi and his entourage.
This is vital in "ending the additional suffering of the Libyan people," the letter added.
It was also revealed that France and Britain propose that the EU help prepare the NTC in putting in place "a representative and responsible government" and a signal should be sent indicating that the NTC is a "valid political interlocutor and an important voice for the Libyan people in this phase."
France and Britain also said that the reiterate a call for an immediate end to violence and they support ongoing "planning in order to be ready for any eventuality."
Reports here Thursday said that Sarkozy was proposing "targeted" air strikes against certain facilities under Gaddafi control, including his headquarters, but official sources declined to confirm the reports.
But Cameron and Sarkozy said that preparations must be made to be able to act "in function of the evolution of the situation, on the basis of obvious necessity, and clear legality and a strong regional support." Discussions among Western leaders made it clear that there must be broad Arab and African support for any military intervention to stop the conflict in Libya.
The letter to Von Rompuy indicated that options "could include an air exclusion zone or other options to stop air attacks." Consultations are ongoing with partners, "in particular in the region," the letter stated.
"Our two countries are working together on elements for a Security Council resolution," it further added.
The leaders also urged the UN to evaluate the humanitarian situation and they called on all countries to enforce a full arms embargo on Libya and to halt deployment of mercenaries who are fighting with Gaddafi forces. The French and British leaders also said they support an investigation by the International Criminal Court into the actions in the conflict.
They also urged assistance to refugees fleeing the conflict in Libya.
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