India ‘regrets’ coalition airstrikes in Libya
India's Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday said it regrets the coalition airstrikes being carried out against Libyan targets, reportedly resulting in a number of casualties.
A statement from the Ministry said India views the continuing violence, strife and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya with "grave concern." "It regrets the airstrikes that are taking place," it added.
U.S., French and British forces heavily bombarded dozens of targets in Libya on Saturday and Sunday, mainly air defense sites and early warning sites along Libya's Mediterranean coast. Libyan officials however claim that coalition forces also struck civilian targets, killing 46 civilians.
The military operation by allied forces is in order to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which imposes a no-fly zone over Libya and calls to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians. India abstained from voting on this Resolution.
"As stated earlier by India, the measures adopted should mitigate and not exacerbate an already difficult situation for the people of Libya," the Ministry of External Affairs added in their statement. "It hopes that this would not lead to greater harm to innocent civilians, foreign nationals and diplomatic missions and their personnel still in Libya."
India further called upon all parties to abjure the use of force and to resolve their differences through peaceful means and dialogue in which the United Nations and regional organizations should play their role.
A statement from the Ministry said India views the continuing violence, strife and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya with "grave concern." "It regrets the airstrikes that are taking place," it added.
U.S., French and British forces heavily bombarded dozens of targets in Libya on Saturday and Sunday, mainly air defense sites and early warning sites along Libya's Mediterranean coast. Libyan officials however claim that coalition forces also struck civilian targets, killing 46 civilians.
The military operation by allied forces is in order to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which imposes a no-fly zone over Libya and calls to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians. India abstained from voting on this Resolution.
"As stated earlier by India, the measures adopted should mitigate and not exacerbate an already difficult situation for the people of Libya," the Ministry of External Affairs added in their statement. "It hopes that this would not lead to greater harm to innocent civilians, foreign nationals and diplomatic missions and their personnel still in Libya."
India further called upon all parties to abjure the use of force and to resolve their differences through peaceful means and dialogue in which the United Nations and regional organizations should play their role.
