EU REACTION:EU LEADERS implored Libyan leader Muammar Gadafy to relinquish power immediately as they spurned pressure from France and Britain to call for the declaration of a no-fly zone in the country.
At an emergency European summit in Brussels, leaders expressed fear that any exclusively western enforcement of such a policy would “delegitimise” the rebellion against the Gadafy regime.
In view of such concerns, diplomatic sources said leaders expressed the view that Arab League and African Union member states should participate in the enforcement of any no-fly zone if such a policy was adopted.
A joint demand from French president Nicolas Sarkozy and British prime minister David Cameron for a reference in the summit communique to a no-fly zone found no support from their 25 colleagues.
Mr Sarkozy said as he arrived in Brussels that France and Britain favour targeted strikes in Libya lest Mr Gadafy use chemical weapons or air strikes against his people.
After the meeting, however, he said any no-fly zone would require “an event to trigger it; a juridical base, and that means the UN; and regional support”.
A Government spokeswoman said Ireland’s view was that a UN Security Council resolution would be required to declare a no-fly zone.
“Ireland would agree with the EU’s statement that member states should examine all necessary options in order to protect the civilian population,” she said.
“Ireland would particularly support the EU’s call to work with the UN, the Arab League, the African Union and other international parties on this.”
The spokeswoman said that Taoiseach Enda Kenny, attending his first European summit, intervened during the debate “to facilitate leaders in reaching agreement” on the text of their declaration against attacks on civilians in Libya. “This issue is a point of real concern for Ireland.”
The communique said member states will examine options necessary to protect the civilian population, “provided there is a demonstrable need, a clear legal basis and support from the region”.
The Government spokeswoman said the Taoiseach strongly supports the call for Mr Gadafy to go and to go now. The communique said the regime “has lost all legitimacy and is no longer an interlocutor for the EU”.
