Nam slams Western attacks on Libya

THE Namibian Government has called for an immediate halt to the military bombardment of Libya by Western powers, calling it ‘utter contempt’ for and ‘flagrant disregard’ of the African Union Peace and Security Council decision taken last month. The AU Peace and Security Council had made a strong commitment to respecting Libya’s territorial integrity and has rejected any foreign military intervention in whatever form.

A press statement issued by the Namibian Foreign Affairs Ministry said that since the beginning of the crisis, Namibia has recognized the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people and called for dialogue involving the Libyan government and peaceful protestors. “The Government rejects and condemns the Western military attacks and calls for such attacks to stop immediately”, the statement reads. The US-led military assault on Libya was launched on the premise of enforcing a no-fly zone as per United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1975 to protect civilians.

The Foreign Affairs statement said that the massive and co-ordinated attacks have been targeting military installations and civilian infrastructure. The targets include the residential compound of the embattled Libyan leader. Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia, Prince Adegboyoga Christopher Ariyo, told the Daily Sun that Nigeria has also rejected military attacks on one of Africa’s longestserving regimes. “It is not right for the UN Security Council or for anybody to support rebels to dislodge a national government and destroy national assets” Ariyo said. “WE do not support any use of force to oust an elected government and hence we condemn the attacks”, he said.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has decided to establish an ad hoc committee comprised of five Heads of State. Its mandate was to assess the evolution of the Libyan crisis on the ground and facilitate dialogue on appropriate reforms. The Committee had planned to visit Libya on the 19 March, and the western attacks pre-empted their visit when the aerial assault was launched on the same day.

The US and the UK are reported to be in favour of Nato leading the campaign, but Turkey is uneasy about it. France has objected because it is worried this may alienate Arab nations, whose support is crucial to the campaign.

click to enlarge Uutoni Nujoma