WarSclerotic

Britain, France would support Libyan no-fly zone

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France and Britain would support the idea of setting up a no-fly zone over Libya if Muammar Gaddafi’s forces continue attacks against citizens, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference with Juppe, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain and France were working on “bold and ambitious” proposals to present to a European Union meeting on Libya next week and would do everything they can to increase pressure on Gaddafi.

Meanwhile, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, members of his inner circle, and some of his sons, will be investigated by the International Criminal Court for “serious allegations” of crimes against the civilian population in Libya, chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference in The Hague in the Netherlands, Moreno-Ocampo said the crimes include claims that Gaddafi used violence against peaceful forces demonstrating across the North African nation. The list comprises between 13-15 individuals, and includes Gaddafi’s head of personal security, and the head of external security forces among others.

Moreno-Ocampo added that the Arab League unanimously agrees with the suggestion, and that there will be “no impunity in Libya.” He said that a government may not attack their own civilians, and such actions constitute crimes against humanity.

Opposition forces will also be investigated, the chief prosecutor added.

The United Nations Security Council on Saturday imposed sanctions on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his family, and referred Libya’s crackdown on anti-government demonstrators to the International Criminal Court.

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