‘France, Britain to continue military operation in Libya’
September 16th, 2011 - 12:00 am ICT by IANS
Paris, Sep 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Britain and France Thursday agreed to continue NATO’s military operation in Libya following a request by the country’s National Transition Council, its chairman and head of international affairs Mahmoud Jibril said.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Libya Thursday on their first visit since Libyan rebels ousted strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
Cameron and Sarkozy were instrumental in engineering the NATO bombing campaign that aided fighters in toppling Gaddafi and his forces.
“We asked the Alliance [NATO] to continue its mission to protect [Libya's civilian population] under UN resolutions 1970 and 1973. The two States have accepted this request,” Jibril said.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague is accompanying the two leaders, along with Bernard-Henri Levy, the French intellectual seen by many as a driving force behind the French decision to take military action against Gaddafi, the Guardian said.
Britain pledged support to Libya in apprehending Gaddafi.
“There are still parts of Libya under Gaddafi’s control, Gaddafi is still at large, and we must make sure this work is completed,” Cameron said.
Sarkozy called on the countries where Gaddafi associates who “committed crimes” have sought refuge to cooperate with international bodies in bringing them to justice.
Earlier, Cameron on his arrival said he was delighted to be in Tripoli. He said he “hoped to work for a better and free and democratic Libya”, BBC reported.
Cameron and Sarkozy flew by helicopter to visit a hospital, where they were greeted by cheering staff and patients.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
sd/dg
- France, Britain ready to hit Libya, says Sarkozy - Mar 11, 2011
- French warplanes destroy Gaddafi's command centre - Mar 29, 2011
- Gaddafi warns of ending cooperation with EU - Mar 11, 2011
- NATO strikes on Libya amount to land operation: Moscow - Jun 04, 2011
- Libyan rebels council seeks Arab League recognition - Mar 12, 2011
- Mass grave of 1,270 found in Libya - Sep 26, 2011
- West fears al Qaeda could seize Gaddafi weapons: Report - Aug 24, 2011
- NATO operations in Libya to continue: Sarkozy - Sep 02, 2011
- UAE to send 12 planes on Libya mission: Sarkozy - Mar 25, 2011
- Gaddafi says he will not leave Libya - Jun 13, 2011
- US pledges $40 mn to Libya for arms stockpile safety - Oct 19, 2011
- NATO air strikes in Tripoli kill 19 civilians: Libyan TV - May 25, 2011
- Libyan rebels ask for weapons, says Italy - Apr 13, 2011
- Chemical, nuclear weapons found in Libya - Oct 31, 2011
- Russia objects to foreign military intervention in Libya - Mar 12, 2011
Tags: bernard henri levy, british prime minister, civilian population, david cameron, french decision, french intellectual, french president nicolas, french president nicolas sarkozy, international bodies, jibril, military operation, minister david, muammar gaddafi, national transition, nicolas sarkozy, president nicolas sarkozy, ria novosti, secretary william, transition council, william hague