“Russia could play a key role in the outcome [of the conflict in Libya],” French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Friday during a panel discussion held by the Valdai Discussion Club at the Higher School of Economics. The discussion was titled “Russia and Europe: Facing Common Challenges.”
The French minister continued: “Russia and France could better coordinate their efforts toward resolving conflicts in Arab countries.”
“Yes, these events are fraught with many possible dangers, for example, the risk of extremists seizing power in Arab countries,” he said. “However, we must respect and protect the aspirations of people in the Middle East.”
Speaking about the situation in Libya, Juppe commented that every government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from crimes against humanity.
“If a government fails to do so, the international community should assume that function. This is exactly what we are doing in Libya,” the minister said.
According to him, the mission to protect Libyans is far from over.
Mass demonstrations demanding the resignation of Muammar Gaddafi, who has ruled the country for over 40 years, began in Libya in mid-February and later escalated into an armed conflict between the government and rebel forces.
On March 17, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution stipulating a no-fly zone over Libya and the possibility of limited foreign military intervention. Britain, France, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Norway are involved in a coalition mission that began there on March 19.
On March 31, NATO took control of the Libyan operation. The stated aim of Operation Protector is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under attack or threat of attack. The mission consists of three elements: an arms embargo, a no-fly zone and actions to protect civilians from attack or the threat of attack.
The mandate of the operation expired on June 27, but NATO extended it for another 90 days, until late September, on July 1.
