India on Sunday regretted the air strikes by the U.S.-led coalition forces in Libya and called upon all the parties to abjure use of force and resolve the differences through peaceful means.
“India views with grave concern the continuing violence, strife and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya. It regrets the air strikes that are taking place. The measures adopted should mitigate and not exacerbate an already difficult situation for the people of the country,” Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement here “Spoke to Ambassador (M) Manimekalai in Tripoli a short while ago. She is cool and calm. Harrowing Saturday night though with jets screaming above, she says the Ambassador,” Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao said in her tweet.
Further more, the Ministry said India hopes that the air strikes would not harm innocent civilians, foreign nationals and diplomatic missions and their personnel, who are still in Libya. “India calls upon all parties to abjure use of or the threat of use of force and to resolve their differences through peaceful means and dialogue in which the U.N. and regional organisations should play their roles,” it added.
The U.S.-led military coalition today hit Libyan defence targets with cruise missiles and launched air attacks as Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi vowed to open his arms depots to the people to retaliate against the Western aggression. French jets fired the first shots in ‘Operation Odyssey Dawn’, the biggest international military intervention in the Arab world since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, destroying tanks and armoured vehicles in eastern Libya, Al-Jazeera reported.
They were joined by the U.S. and the U.K. who fired over 110 Tomahawk missiles from American and British ships and submarines, hitting about 20 Libyan defence targets in the capital Tripoli and along the Mediterranean coast, U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, William Gortney said at a Pentagon briefing.
The U.N. Security Council had on Thursday adopted a resolution, calling for an immediate ceasefire and authorised all necessary measures for protecting civilians in Libya from Gaddafi's forces.
Keywords: Libya, Qadhafi, U.S., U.K, airstrikes, Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, political turmoil, political crisis
As the world's largest democracy, India should be speaking up for the people oppressed by the dictator. We should support whatever action is taken to bring down dictators. It is time to stop being cowardly and start stepping up to do the right thing.
Other than the 3 main players for Libya namely USA, UK and France, the others are by-standders who have no role to play. France will supply post war military reconstruction after demolishing evenrything in sight now. US will construct the civilian facilities after pulping the present ones. UK will supply the logistics for the whole operation. Sickens the stomach on the opportunistic grab for the Libyan wealth. How did USA allow Gaddafi and his family to stash away millions of dollars in US banks when they knew that the money was ill-gotten? How come the western alliance feels so strongly about democracy and human rights only in selective palces. No voice is raised for China, Saudi Arabia and a host of other middele eastern countries where human rights and democracy does not exist. Indian Government should save its breath. 'Expressions of regret' what an impotence?
Why is India undermining the democratic efforts of the rebels? As the world's largest democracy, we should be in the forefront to respect, encourage and support the struggles of those seeking to free themselves from tyrannical dictatorships such as that of Muammar Qadaffi.
This is not the manner in which an aspiring nation to the Pmt seat in seurity council should behave. The GOI must take an unequivocal stand against despots like Qaddafi and not premise its responses on vote bank considerations.
What 'deteriorating situation' are we seeing? Just words from foreign media outlets, with NOTHING to match in terms of evidence. Looks like if Gaddafi owned a TV channel, we would get to see his version - peace and harmony on the streets, even dancing. Now, only if the invading jets didn't bomb the party....
I was very sad to see how the west manipulated happenings in the middle east to attain their way especially in Libya. Unfortunately, I am even more angrier to see Russia, India and other security council members not utilizing their power in the Security Council but still want to hold the post. After UN resolution, and the air-attack on Libya, now all the abstaining countries are shedding crocodile tears that they didn't expect this event. Ironically, West wants the support of Arab League who themselves are not democratic, to take action against Libya. Arab League who supported the UN resolution also doing public stunt that says they didn't expect West will bomb Libya like this. Why is Bahrain and Yemen excepted?
Hope one day, peace will prevail for all!!!
The forces in Libya are NOT US-led, France and the UK are taking the charge on this one, having both actually sent military aircraft to enforce the no-fly zone.
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