GERMANY: No German troops will take part in any military intervention in Libya as there are "considerable risks and dangers", Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Friday, after Berlin abstained in a UN vote to impose a no-fly zone.
"We remain eminently sceptical on the option of military intervention... anticipated in this resolution. We see in it considerable risks and dangers. That is why we could not approve this part of the text," a statement said.
"German soldiers will not take part in a military intervention in Libya," he said but underscored that Berlin's stand on Moamer Kadhafi remained unchanged.
"The dictator must immediately stop all violence against his people. He must leave power and suffer the consequences of his crimes," Westerwelle said.
The UN Security Council meeting voted Thursday to permit "all necessary measures" to impose a no-fly zone, protect civilian areas and impose a ceasefire on Kadhafi's military.
Enforcement will rely on air power as the resolution rules out sending ground troops.
The UN vote passed 10-0 with five abstentions in the 15-member council. Permanent members China and Russia were among those abstaining, but did not use their veto power. India and Brazil also abstained.
Diplomats indicated that air strikes from a coalition led by Britain, France and the United States - but also including some Arab countries - could now be imminent. Canadian media said Ottawa would also send warplanes. BERLIN, Friday, AFP (Daily News)
