In a blow too to France’s efforts to use the crisis in Libya to reassert its leadership in international diplomacy, the Group of Eight powers made no mention of a no-fly zone over the North African nation in a communique wrapping up their talks.
The Libyan crisis dominated the first meeting of France’s G8 presidency, but Germany and Russia blocked flight restrictions sought by France and Britain, leaving the group with a position that contained strong words but little substance.
“The Americans are moving toward the security council, the Russians want more detail on the no-fly zone and are cautious, but the Germans blocked it completely,” a G8 diplomatic source told Reuters after the talks. “We are in a race against time between building a politically legitimate operation and taking action,” he added.
The stalemate echoed a lack of consensus over the issue at the U.N. Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent veto-holding member and Germany a temporary member.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a call by the Arab League for a no-fly zone over Libya was short on detail and more information was needed on how it could work, given the Arab League’s opposition to foreign military intervention.
“We are waiting for the Arab League to make specific proposals regarding that issue,” Lavrov told a news conference at the end of the meeting.
“We need to have more specific information to see how our friends in the Arab League see that and once we have that we will consider all options,” he said.
The G8 communique stated that Libyans had the right to democracy and that Gaddafi faced “dire consequences” if he ignored citizens’ rights. It urged the U.N. Security Council to increase pressure on him, including via economic measures.
It stressed the importance of the Arab League’s involvement in any action taken in the OPEC oil exporting nation.
GERMANY WARY OF MILITARY OPTION
France and Britain have led calls for an internationally enforced no-fly zone to slow the advance of Gaddafi’s troops, who are using airpower and tanks to crush a revolt.
The counter-offensive against poorly armed rebels fighting to end 41 years of authoritarian rule has pushed insurgents 100 miles eastwards in a week [ID:nLDE72E0YO] and analysts worry that the slowness to respond will mean more bloodshed.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe admitted early in the talks he had been unable to win G8 backing for a no-fly zone.
Delegate sources said opposition was strongest from Germany.