The situation in Libya remains a cause for grave concern. The EC expressed strong solidarity with the Libyan people and the victims and firmly condemned the violent repression the Libyan regime applies against its citizens and the gross and systematic violation of human rights. The EC also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 1970 and the referral of the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court. It said on 11 March: “The use of force, especially with military means, against civilians is unacceptable and must stop immediately. The safety of the people must be ensured by all necessary means. The European Council expresses its deep concern about attacks against civilians, including from the air. In order to protect the civilian population, Member States will examine all necessary options, provided that there is a demonstrable need, a clear legal basis and support from the region. Those responsible will be held accountable and face grave consequences. We will work with the United Nations, the Arab League, the African Union and our international partners to respond to the crisis. We call for the rapid holding of a summit between the Arab League, the African Union and the European Union.”
The EC added: “Colonel Gaddafi must relinquish power immediately. His regime has lost all legitimacy and is no longer an interlocutor for the EU. The European Union has adopted restrictive measures against the country’s leadership and against entities holding sizeable assets controlled by the regime and stands ready to adopt further sanctions.”
The objective of the EC is for Libya to rapidly embark on an orderly transition to democracy through a broad-based dialogue. The European Union welcomes and encourages the interim transitional national council based in Benghazi which it considers a political interlocutor. The European Union stands ready to help Libya build a constitutional state and develop the rule of law. It is ready to respond to requests from the Libyan people to assist the restart of the Libyan economy.
The European Union and the Member States have mobilised humanitarian aid and are committed to further assist people in Libya and people crossing its borders, in close cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Organisation for Migration, the International Committee of the Red Cross / International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and non governmental organisations. But is has not mentioned a no-fly zone in it’s statement on 11 March.
