Africa: S. Africa Slams Security Council Over Libya Airstrikes12 January 2012
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma on Thursday slammed the UN
Security Council for allowing the NATO military strikes in Libya that
played a key downfall in the downfall of Moamer Kadhafi. Zuma complained to the Security Council that an African Union peace
plan for Libya was "completely ignored" and said Libya's problems had
now "spilled over" to other countries in north Africa because of the
council's action.
The South African president lectured the 15-member council as he
chaired a special debate on relations between the United Nations and the
African Union.
South Africa abstained in the council's resolution 1973 passed on
March 17 last year, which authorized military action to protect
civilians and enforce a no-fly zone.
NATO's airstrikes have since divided the council, however. Russia,
China, South Africa and India insist that the military alliance breached
the resolution.
Zuma said the council had to avoid a repeat of the Libya episode when
the AU had its own political initiative, which the president said was
"completely ignored in favor of bombing Libya by NATO forces."
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UN">http://www.unmultimedia.org/">UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa.
"The consequences of the actions that were carried out in Libya in
the name of the United Nations Security Council have spilled over into
other countries in the region," Zuma told the meeting, which was
attended by ministers from Africa and council members.
NATO insists its military action in Libya was within the UN
resolutions and UN ambassadors from its members say the Security Council
was fully aware of the kind of action to be carried out.
But Zuma said African Union views "must be listened to if we are to strengthen our relationship and prevent conflict."
He also said there must be no return to the Cold War, when Africa was
a "playground" for the rival sides battling for influence. - ANP/AFP