France: Libya could become a second Somalia

ANDREW RETTMAN

Today @ 13:14 CET

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned that Libya could become a Somalia-type failed state unless the EU backs anti-Gaddafi rebels.
Speaking in Brussels on Friday (11 March) on the doorstep of an EU summit Mr Sarkozy said the Union should: "Recognise the Libyan authorities as represented by the self-proclaimed Council of the Libyan opposition ... to avoid having a country that finds itself in the position of Somalia, at one time, with no one in charge and no one to represent it."

French president Nicolas Sarkozy arriving at an EU summit on Friday (Photo: consilium.europa.eu)

He added: "The question of legitimacy of this or that party can be left for another day."
His remarks come after France on Thursday unilaterally recognised the National Libyan Council in Benghazi as the new government in Libya. The move caused dismay among fellow EU countries, which believe any such move should be made with UN and Arab League approval.
The French leader noted that he is "very cautious" on military intervention.
But he called for the creation of a "humanitarian zone" in north Africa to protect the "tens of thousands" of refugees. And he added that France and the UK back "targeted actions" against Gaddafi military assets if Arab countries give the green light and if Colonel Gaddafi uses chemical weapons or his air force against civilians.
UK leader David Cameron on Friday said nothing on targeted strikes, mentioning only that Britain is "planning for every eventuality."
He added that the time has come for an EU mea culpa on its past support for north African dictators: "It's a moment for Europe to say that what we've done in the past hasn't always worked and now we should be reaching out to these countries, offering them a new partnership, opening up our markets ... This is potentially a good moment for our world and we should seize it and grab it and try and shape it."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also distanced herself from Mr Sarkozy's bullishness.
"Every step we take must be carefully considered," she said. "We need to be united and give a single message. Divide and rule would only be of advantage to Gaddafi and that's exactly what we are trying to avoid."
Nato sources told EUobserver on Friday that defence ministers at an alliance meeting on Thursday did not discuss targeted strikes and that the French proposal was badly received, including by the UK.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton for her part also backed opening EU markets to help crisis-struck neighbours get back on their feet. She noted that the EU should compensate countries for loss of tourist income.
The EU is holding two back-to-back summits on Friday, on Libya and the eurozone. But unfolding events in Asia and the Middle East could broaden the agenda.
EU leaders sent early messages of support to Japan following a deadly earthquake and tsunami.
Meanwhile, security forces are out in heavy numbers in Riyadh after a coalition of opposition groups called for mass pro-democracy protests after Friday prayers. Police injured three people on Thursday after firing live ammunition over the heads of demonstrators in the town of Qatif.