Ethiopia: Libyan mission to AU condemn crackdown on protestors

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
February 27, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) – The secretary of the Libyan People’s Bureau and Permanent Mission to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has condemned what it said was a “disproportionate use of force’’ against peaceful protesters in Libya.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the secretary has expressed grave concern with the current situation in Libya as the violence flared up in the North African country, with more than 1,000 pro-democracy protesters reportedly killed in a violent crackdown since the uprising began on February 15 - aimed to end Muammer Gaddafi’s 42-year authoritarian rule.
The Addis Ababa-based mission has called on the armed Libyan forces to ensure the protection and security of the citizens and provision of humanitarian assistance to the injured and other persons in dire need.
The secretary underscored that the aspiration of the people of Libya to meet political and democratic demands need to be respected.
The mission appealed for an immediate end to repression and violence and urged on the leadership in Tripoli to find a speedy and peaceful solution to the current crisis.
It further called upon the leadership to take into consideration the public interest and the national territorial integrity of the country and avoid what can lead to more loss of lives and destruction of public and private properties.
It rejected any thought or justification for any kind of foreign interference in Libya. “We demand those who are calling for that in the media to immediately desist”, it said.
Despite growing pressures against Gaddafi to step down the Libyan leader who termed himself a revolutionist and not a president has refused to do so.
On Wednesday, similarly the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) strongly condemned the indiscriminate and excessive use of force and lethal weapons against peaceful protesters.
The council said the act was taken “in violation of human rights and International Humanitarian Law, which continues to contribute to the loss of life and destruction of property.”
The union during its 261st meeting held on 23 February 2011 decided to urgently dispatch a fact finding mission of the council to Libya to assess the situation on the ground.
As protesters reportedly took control of Libya’s eastern part, Gaddafi is said to be arming his supporters to battle opponents also as government soldiers begin to switch sides to join the uprising.
The U.N. Security Council on Sunday unanimously imposed tough sanctions on the Gaddafi regime in the form of an arms embargo, asset freezes and travel ban.
It has also ordered an international war crimes probe into the bloodshed in Libya.