'Difficulties with resolution' caused abstention: China envoy
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China supports UN Security Council to adopt necessary actions to stabilize the situation in Libya and halt violence against civilians but "China has serious difficulty with part of the resolution," Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, said Thursday.
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Chinese UN Ambassador Li Baodong (2nd R Front) and Brazilian UN Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti (1st L Front) vote to abstain from a Libyan resolution during an open meeting of the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, March 17, 2011. The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution to authorize a no-fly zone over Libya and called for "all necessary measures," excluding troops on the ground, to protect civilians under threat of attack in the North African country. [Shen Hong/Xinhua] |
"China has always emphasized that in its relevant actions, the Security Council should follow the UN Charter and norms governing international law and respect the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Libya and resolve through peaceful means the current crisis in Libya," Li said.
The Security Council Thursday effectively authorized the use of force in Libya to protect civilians from attack, specifically in the eastern city of Benghazi, which Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi has reportedly said he will storm tonight to end a revolt against his regime.
Russia, a permanent Council member with veto power, and Brazil, Germany and India, the three non-permanent Council members, also abstained from the voting on the draft resolution, according to Xinhua reports.
Expressing grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties, the Council established a no-fly zone, banning all flights – except those for humanitarian purposes – in Libyan airspace in order to help protect civilians. It specifically calls on Arab League states to cooperate with other Member States in taking the necessary measures.
The Arab League last weekend requested the Council to impose a no-fly zone after Mr. Qadhafi was reported to have used warplanes, warships, tanks and artillery to seize back cities taken over in what started out a month ago as mass protests by peaceful civilians seeking an end to his 41-year rule.
